The vast majority of patients needing diagnosis and treatment for HIV infection live in rural areas of developing countries. There is a need for a CD4 counter that does not require a laboratory or expensive equipment. The test will assist healthcare workers in district hospitals and health centers of developing countries to make clinical decisions in the management of antiretroviral therapy.

Detailed description of the solution

The CD4 Initiative Test is a rapid and robust, point-of-care diagnostic to count CD4 T cells in adults living with HIV or AIDS in resource-poor countries. Specifically designed to be used in peripheral health centers, the test will be used to aid diagnosis of HIV or AIDS patients as well as for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The test is a single, disposable unit which can deliver an absolute CD4 count without complex electronics and instrumentation, ensuring that it is most suitable for resource-poor countries.

Designed by

• Designed and manufactured by: Zyomyx Inc and ImmunoSite Technologies LLC

For more manufacturing information: The CD4 Initiative

• Address: 2nd Floor, Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, 15 Princes Gardens, South Kensington, London UK, SW7 1NA

When and where it was tested/implemented

Field trials were completed in the UK and clinical trials began in Malawi and Uganda in 2010.

Funding Source

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

References