title: Emerging technologies for point-of-care CD4 T-lymphocyte counting.
abstract: A CD4 T-lymphocyte count determines eligibility for antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients recently diagnosed with HIV and also monitors the efficacy of ART treatment thereafter. ART slows the progression of HIV to AIDS. In the developing world, CD4 tests are often performed in centralized laboratories, typically in urban areas. The expansion of ART programs into rural areas has created a need for rapid CD4 counting because logistical barriers can delay the timely dissemination of test results and affect patient care through delay in intervention or loss of follow-up care. CD4 measurement at the point-of-care (POC) in rural areas could help the facilitation of ART and monitoring of treatment. This review highlights recent technology developments with applications towards determining CD4 counts at the POC.
authors.affiliation: Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), Seattle, WA 98121, USA. dboyle@path.org
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Kenneth R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Matthew S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.forename: Xuanhong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001681:Biological Assay; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000379:methods*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents