The use of rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests for the measurement of CD4 T-cells, a marker of the immune system will be an important factor in improving the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS especially in developing and resource-poor countries.
Speaking on global diagnostics at the Bio2010 International Convention in Chicago, Burnet Institute's Associate Professor David Anderson said point-of-care tests that are cheap, easy to use and reliable, and able to be read visually in the field meant that patients would receive access to antiretroviral drugs faster and have a resulting improved quality of life.
Australia's Burnet Institute in collaboration with Rush University and Duke University have developed a rapid diagnostic kit based on the measurement of the total amount of cell-associated CD4 protein in whole blood samples such as a finger prick. The methodology uses a simple lateral flow immunochromatographic technique incorporated into a rapid test kit design similar to a home pregnancy test. Early clinical trials of the CD4 kit are currently in progress are already showing promising results and researchers are estimating the cost of the kit to be less than AU$2 when commercially available.
In a recent collaboration, Burnet Institute has also joined with Australian biomedical applications company Axxin Ltd to develop an instrument reader specifically designed for use with the CD4 test in laboratories and physician clinics which can be used to ensure a standardised approach in test kit result interpretation essential for device approval in the developed world.