Past, present and future molecular diagnosis and characterization of human immunodeficiency virus infections

Abstract

Substantive and significant advances have been made in the last two decades in the characterization of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections using molecular techniques. These advances include the use of real-time measurements, isothermal amplification, the inclusion of internal quality assurance protocols, device miniaturization and the automation of specimen processing. The result has been a significant increase in the availability of results to a high level of accuracy and quality. Molecular assays are currently widely used for diagnostics, antiretroviral monitoring and drug resistance characterization in developed countries. Simple and cost-effective point-of-care versions are also being vigorously developed with the eventual goal of providing timely healthcare services to patients residing in remote areas and those in resource-constrained countries. In this review, we discuss the evolution of these molecular technologies, not only in the context of the virus, but also in the context of tests focused on human genomics and transcriptomics.

Keywords:

• HIV
• diagnosis

Notes

Abbreviation: ART, antiretroviral therapy; HARRT, highly active antiretroviral therapy; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; POC, point of care.

A, molecular assay is widely used for clinical diagnosis and/or monitoring of HIV-1 infections; B, molecular assay is useful under certain circumstances or for the diagnosis of particular populations; C, molecular assay is seldom useful for general diagnostic purposes but may be useful in specific researches and trials; D, molecular assay is not available or not used for laboratory diagnosis and monitoring.