A new CD4 testing system, the BD FACSPresto Near Patient CD4 Counter system (BD Biosciences), enables patients to monitor their HIV/AIDS, potentially reducing the probability of transmitting the infection to others and improving long-term care.
The BD FACSPresto Near Patient CD4 Counter system provides absolute and percentage results of CD4 T-cell lymphocytes and hemoglobin concentration levels in whole blood samples, according to an industry press release.
The system features an intuitive language-independent graphical touchscreen interface, an on-board videos to guide operation and operates off a rechargeable battery, allowing for easy transport and enabling patients in remote settings access to testing.
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Study results indicate the performance of the system is comparable to traditional analyzers, in terms of accuracy, precision and linearity across a wide measuring range.
A blood sample from a finger-stick or venipuncture is transferred to a single-use disposable cartridge that can be incubated outside the instrument for 18 minutes. After incubation, the cartridge is inserted into the system and results are available in less than four minutes.
Pricing for both the system and reagents will align with expectations of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), The Global Fund, Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) and UNICEF, according to the press release.
