Monitoring in HIV infection: summary points
| Mandatory tests | Uses |
|---|---|
| HAART, highly active antiretroviral therapy. | |
| CD4 counts | Predict immediate risk of opportunistic infection and indicate use of prophylaxis |
| The quality of results is dependent on technology: “single platform” 3/4 colour machines are best | |
| Require interpretation in the light of clinical and physiological context and the use of HAART | |
| Three samples at baseline | |
| Repeat 6 monthly (asymptomatic) or 3 monthly (symptomatic) | |
| Viral load | Predicts the long term risk of disease progression and indicates the use of HAART |
| Repeated every 3–6 months regardless of clinical state | |
| Also done 3–4 weeks after starting HAART | |
| High sensitivity methods required for HAART monitoring | |
| State of the art testing | |
| Assays of immunoreconsitution | New assays are required for monitoring immune improvement on HAART |
| Viral resistence testing | Current data support the use of this technology in some settings |