title: Use of a prequalification panel for rapid scale-up of high-throughput HIV viral load testing.
abstract: Increased access to antiretroviral drugs expands needs for viral load (VL) testing. South Africa's National Health Laboratory Service responded to demands by implementing two testing platforms in 17 laboratories within 8 months. An industry partner's collaboration, training programs, and method verification with a VL prequalification panel ensured testing quality and rapid implementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine and Haematology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. lesley.scott@nhls.ac.za
authors.forename: Lesley E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gous
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Horsfield
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mackay
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D057166:High-Throughput Screening Assays / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D013019:South Africa; D019562:Viral Load / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents