HIV-1 RNA testing of pooled dried blood spots is feasible to diagnose acute HIV infection in resource limited settings

Go Where the Virus Is: An HIV Micro-epidemic Control Approach to Stop HIV Transmission

“…The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center has been applying a pooling approach with plasma samples as a cost-efficient strategy to identify and treat individuals with AHI who might otherwise not receive a diagnosis using serological testing. 49 Nevertheless, separation, storing, and transfer of plasma can pose logistical challenges in resourcelimited settings and incur additional costs. Pooled PCR testing may also be possible on point-of-care viral load platforms as these become more affordable and widely available, realizing additional benefits in terms of efficiency, convenience, and early detection and intervention.…”