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Dried Blood Spots Versus Plasma for the Quantification of HIV-1 RNA Using the Manual (PCR-ELISA) Amplicor Monitor HIV-1 Version 1.5 Assay in Yaounde, Cameroon

Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

J. Atashili, MD, MPH

Faculty of health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon, Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, atashili{at}yahoo.ie

M.C. Okomo-Assoumou, PhD

Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

M. Mesembe, BSc

Center for the Study and Control of Communicable Diseases (CSCCD), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon

P.M. Ndumbe, MD, PhD

Faculty of health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon

Objectives: Considering the recent accrued need for viral load quantification in resource-limited settings, this study evaluated the use of dried blood spots (DBS) compared to plasma as a means of sample collection and storage for HIV-1 RNA quantification using a non-automated assay. Methods: Venous blood was collected from 60 consenting HIV-1-positive patients, plasma separated within 4 hours, and stored at -20°C. Venous blood, 50 µL, was blotted on 4 designated areas of Whatman filter paper and air-dried at room temperature for 2 hours. Results: There was a strong statistically significant correlation between HIV-1 RNA viral load using plasma and DBS (r = .955, P < .001). On average plasma viral loads were only slightly higher than DBS viral loads (mean difference: 0.06 log₁₀ copies/mL). Conclusion: Even when using an entirely manual HIV-quantification assay, DBS may provide a reliable, cost-effective method for sample collection and storage for HIV-1 RNA quantification in resource-limited settings.

Key Words: HIV viral load • dry blood samples • plasma samples

This version was published on May 1, 2009

Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC), Vol. 8, No. 3, 181-184 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1545109709333111


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