title: Health care industries' perspective of viral load assays: the VERSANT HIV-1 RNA 3.0 assay.
abstract: This article will compare the VERSANT HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA 3.0) assay with other HIV-1 viral load assays, particularly the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR (Amplicor 1.5), the industry standard. The discussion will cover the history of viral load assay development and challenges to the field. It will finish with a description of the evolving markets for viral load assays in the developing world and the impact of variations in the different assays on their ability to reach those markets and patient populations.
authors.affiliation: San Francisco General Hospital, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Building NH, Room 2M35, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. elbeik@itsa.ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Tarek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elbeik
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Loftus
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beringer
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012015:Reference Standards; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019562:Viral Load / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral