Realtime hiv 1 rna pcr

There were three different sources for VL data. First, during the computer-assisted self-interview prevalent HIV-positive participants were asked, “What was the result of your most recent viral load test (undetectable, detectable, I don’t know)?” (referred to as self-report). Next, each HIV positive participant provided a blood sample which was treated with EDTA-anticoagulation agent and from which plasma VL testing was performed with the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 RNA PCR (sensitivity of 40 copies/mL; referred to as “study-specific”). Lastly, all participants were requested to sign an authorization for release of medical records from their primary healthcare provider as well as the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Medical records (service date and VL) retrieved via primary healthcare providers were separately extracted by two trained research staff members and resulting data was reviewed by a third staff member for quality assurance. Medical records retrieved from CDPH were electronically accessed via their Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS). An undetectable VL was defined as fewer than 200 copies/mL for both study-initiated laboratory testing and data extracted from medical records. “Blips,” or transient small increases in VL during prolonged viral suppression, were defined as >1000 copies/mL [31 (link)].

Post-mortem tissues from subject 123, a 43-year-old Caucasian male, were provided by the National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI), without patient identifying information. The University of Massachusetts Medical School IRB considered that this research was not human subjects research as defined by DHHS and FDA regulations (IRB ID: H00014098). Subject 123 was on drug therapy (Tenofovir, Ritonavir, Abacavir, Tipranavir, Raltegravir, Etravirine) and had a well-controlled plasma viral load (<75 copies/ml³) at the last test, 7 months before death. The cause of death was cardio-pulmonary arrest and was diagnosed with HAD. Post-mortem plasma and serum samples were found to have undetectable viral copy number by the Infectious Disease Laboratory at the Children’s Hospital of Chicago using Abbott RealTime HIV-1 RNA PCR. Tissues collected at autopsy included frontal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, lymph node, lung, colon and blood cells.