title: Comparison of an Automated and a Manual Method of Viral Load Determination in HIV-Infected Persons in Yaounde, Cameroon.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although access to antiretroviral therapy is being improved in the resource-limited settings most affected by the HIV pandemic, the assessment of treatment success or failure remains a challenge. Methods of viral load determination that are inexpensive, easy to use, and practicable at peripheral health centers are required. This study aimed at evaluating the validity and relative cost of a manual method compared to an automated method of viral load quantification.
  
  
  METHODS
  HIV-1 viral load was determined by both the COBAS Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor and the Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor assays in 18 patients in Yaounde, Cameroon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a strong correlation between values of viral load obtained by the automated method and the manual method (r = .83, P value < .0001). Also, both methods were not statistically different from each other (Wilcoxon rank-sum statistic P value .99).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The manual method of determining HIV viral load was correlated with the automated method and should be considered as a viable alternative.
authors: 1 Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases, Yaounde, Cameroon.
authors: Peter M
authors: PM
authors: Ndumbe
authors: Bechem
authors: B
authors: Efuetnkeng
authors: George M
authors: GM
authors: Ikomey
authors: Julius
authors: J
authors: Atashili
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic