Problem being addressed[edit | edit source]
CD4 T cell counts are necessary for the monitoring and diagnosis of HIV/AIDS. These tests are often difficult and expensive. A low-cost, easy to use option is needed for use in resource-limited settings.
Detailed description of the solution[edit | edit source]
The Guava Auto CD4/CD4% System is a unique bench-top instrument equiped with acquisition software that health providers can use to easily monitor patients' T-lymphocytes. The Guava Auto CD4/CD4% System provides reliable results with minimum technical expertise to operate. The system provides absolute CD4 counts, CD4% of total lymphocytes, and total lymphocyte count.
Designed by[edit | edit source]
- Designed by: Guava Technologies, Inc., but Millipore acquired Guava in 2009.
- Manufacturing: Headquarters located in Billerica, Massachusetts, USA.
When and where it was tested/implemented[edit | edit source]
Testing of the device has been done in the United States. Performance has been evaluated in multiple laboratories against several well-accepted methods for determining absolute CD4 counts and CD4% values. Studies were performed on both adult and pediatric HIV samples as well as normal samples. Auto CD4/CD4% Assay test results were compared to results from other well established methods for CD4 analysis, showing consistently comparable results.
References[edit | edit source]
Peer-reviewed publication[edit | edit source]
The 2009 WHO "Review of CD4 Technologies" stated that there have been no peer-reviewed independent performance evaluation data for the Guava Auto CD4. PDF cited here.
Other internally generated reports[edit | edit source]
Externally generated reports[edit | edit source]
Mergia, A., Elad, K., Sharp, M., Fishwild, D., O'Connell, B., Bredt, B., & Tyagarajan, K. (February, 2005). Performance of Aged, TransFix-Treated Blood in the Guava EasyCD4 and EasyCD8 Assays. Guava Technologies. Presented at the 12th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Boston, Massachusetts USA.