HIV Related Immunologic Assay/Validation in Burkina Faso

描述（由申请人提供）：本申请代表我们现有的美国NIAID DAIDS免疫学质量保证计划（N 01-AI-95356 PI：托马斯N. Denny）。通过艾滋病-非洲联盟，我们寻求与位于布基纳法索波波-迪乌拉索的穆拉兹艾滋病毒/艾滋病中心的塞尔日·迪亚布加博士建立新的合作关系。近年来，为使艾滋病毒抗逆转录病毒药物更便宜和更容易向贫穷国家提供而作出的重大努力已导致发病率和死亡率下降，反映了发达国家在使用高效抗逆转录病毒疗法方面取得的成功。然而，与此同时，限制这些药物使用的其他因素也在发展，这包括在HIV/AIDS患者中提供免疫学（CD 4）或病毒学（RNA PCR）监测的能力。最近，开发了有前景的替代技术测试（Coulter Cytosphere和Dynal Dynabead），许多人认为它们适用于进一步的研究中心特定用途评价。通过这一艾滋病-FRICA，我们提出以下建议：1）在布基纳法索评估和验证库尔特CD 4细胞球检测; 2）确定特定地点和年龄相关的CD 4参考范围; 3）确定布基纳法索通过目标1和2进展的技术或实验室检测的临床实用性/指南。将进行重复测试，以确定进行CD 4评估的多名实验室工作人员的变异系数。新泽西州和布基纳法索的研究团队非常适合承担这个项目和拟议的工作范围。通过本申请中提出的工作，我们计划解决与研究和培训有关的问题，提高整体免疫学和/或病毒学实验室能力，同时加强布基纳法索的可用人力资源，并改善对这个资源贫乏国家整个社区的护理。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application represents an international extension of our existing United States based NIAID DAIDS Immunology Quality Assurance Program (N01-AI-95356 PI: Thomas N. Denny). Through the AIDS-FRICA we seek to establish a new collaboration with Dr. Serge Diabouga of the HIV/AIDS Centre Muraz located in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. In recent years, significant efforts to make HIV antiretroviral drugs more affordable and available to poor countries has resulted in a decrease in both morbidity and mortality, reflecting the successes seen in developed countries with the use of HAART. At the same time, however, other factors that limit use of these drugs have evolved and this includes the ability to provide immunologic (CD4) or virologic (RNA PCR) monitoring in HIV/AIDS patients. Recently, promising alternative technology tests (Coulter Cytosphere and Dynal Dynabead) were developed and many consider them appropriate for further site-specific use evaluation. Through this AIDS-FRICA we propose the following: 1) To assess and validate in Burkina Faso the Coulter CD4 Cytosphere Assay; 2) To determine site specific and age-associated reference ranges for CD4; 3) To determine Burkina-Faso clinical utility/guidelines of technologies or laboratory tests that progress through objectives 1 and 2. Replicate tests will be performed to determine coefficient of variation for multiple laboratory staff performing the CD4 assessments. The NJ and Burkina Faso research teams are well suited and experienced to take on this project and the proposed work scope. Through the work proposed in this application, we plan to address issues related to research and training, to improve upon the overall immunologic and/or virologic laboratory capabilities while strengthening available human resources in Burkina Faso and improving care for the community at large in this resource poor nation.