High Correlation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Viral Load Measured in Dried-Blood Spot Samples and in Plasma under Different Storage Conditions

Background sure HIV-1 RNA concentration requires venous extraction of blood, use of RNAase-free materials, and transport in a cold chain, which makes difficult the management of samples in developing countries. We evaluated the utility of the determination of HIV-1 RNA concentration in blood samples dried on filter paper (DBS) and subjected to different conditions, as contrasted with determination in plasma. s RNA concentration was determined in HIV-infected patients in DBS and in plasma samples. Samples were subjected to the following: DBS were stored at 4, 22, and 37°C for 1, 3, and 7 days; samples from patients from four regions of Mexico were mailed to a reference laboratory; DBS were sent under environmental conditions; and plasma samples were sent frozen. HIV-1 RNA concentrations were determined by NucliSens in DBS and by Amplicor test in plasma. s RNA concentration determined in DBS subjected to different temperatures and times had a significant correlation (r = 0.99) with those obtained in plasma. When compared with values in plasma, Kappa agreement coefficients of values in DBS stored for 7 days at 4, 22, and 37°C were 0.98, 0.83, and 0.94, respectively. Quantification of HIV-1 RNA in 108 DBS mailed from remote areas with different climates demonstrated significant correlation with those obtained in plasma (r = 0.95; p <0.001). sions a simple and reliable method to measure HIV-1 RNA concentration, especially when samples are mailed from remote areas to a reference center. This collection method is an economic and suitable alternative for use in developing countries.