HIV Related Immunologic Assay/Validation in Burkina Faso

描述（由申请人提供）：该申请代表了我们现有的美国NIAID艾滋病免疫学质量保证计划的国际扩展（N01-AI-95356 PI: Thomas N. Denny）。通过艾滋病-非洲，我们寻求与布基纳法索博博-迪乌拉索穆拉兹艾滋病毒/艾滋病中心的塞尔日·迪亚博加博士建立新的合作关系。近年来，为使贫穷国家更能负担得起和获得艾滋病毒抗逆转录病毒药物而作出的重大努力使发病率和死亡率都有所下降，这反映了发达国家在使用HAART方面所取得的成功。然而，与此同时，限制这些药物使用的其他因素也在演变，这包括在艾滋病毒/艾滋病患者中提供免疫（CD4）或病毒学（RNA PCR）监测的能力。最近，开发了有前途的替代技术测试（Coulter Cytosphere和Dynal Dynabead），许多人认为它们适合进一步进行特定地点的使用评估。通过这个艾滋病-非洲，我们提出以下建议：1)在布基纳法索评估和验证库尔特CD4细胞球测定；2)确定部位特异性和年龄相关的CD4参考范围；3)确定布基纳法索在实现目标1和2方面取得进展的技术或实验室测试的临床效用/准则。将进行重复测试，以确定执行CD4评估的多个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小组非常适合并经验丰富地承担这一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相关的问题，以提高整体免疫学和/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，并改善这个资源贫乏国家对整个社区的护理。

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.