title: Capacity of US labs to provide TLI in support of early HIV-1 intervention.
abstract: We surveyed laboratories to assess their capacity to perform T-lymphocyte immunophenotyping. Of the 1026 respondents, 279 located in 41 states and the District of Columbia performed this type of testing. Most laboratories were located in hospitals, reported a low weekly test volume, and indicated that it took 6-24 weeks for flow cytometer operators to become proficient. Many laboratories appear to have the capacity to perform additional CD4+ cell testing, but training additional operators may be necessary. The paucity of laboratories performing T-lymphocyte immunophenotyping in the public sector may affect referral patterns from that setting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory Systems, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
authors.forename: R O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Valdiserri
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Hearn
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007753:Laboratories; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens