Researchers at Rush University Medical Center have been selected to develop a CD4 test for monitoring disease progression in HIV-infected individuals.
Efforts are underway to develop a rapid test to monitor the effect of HIV/AIDS on the immune systems of those infected. Rush University Medical Center researchers are participating in a four-year initiative to develop a rapid, affordable CD4 test.
CD4 counts are performed in HIV infected patients to monitor the immune system’s disease fighting potential. As HIV infection progresses, the numbers CD4 T-lymphocytes decreases to the point where infected individuals are unable to protect against infections with relatively common micro-organisms that do not affect healthy individuals, but may be life-threatening in those infected with HIV.
CD4 counts are used to help make clinical decisions in managing HIV infection: when to begin anteretroviral (ARV) therapy and when to change ARV therapy.
Currently, measurements of CD4 counts require expensive instrumentation and reagents used in testing. Because of this, resource restricted areas are often not able to perform CD4 counts. A simple, rapid affordable test would improve treatment for HIV infected individuals by making the test available in communities where laboratory resources for testing are not currently available.
