A simplified solution for T-cell counting of paediatric samples

Guava Technologies, Inc. revolutionised CD4 counting technology with the introduction of the Guava Easy CD4 system. The Guava EasyCD4 System, with its integrated system of instrument, reagents and software, provides the ability to easily monitor patients T-lymphocytes by using a two-colour, direct, absolute counting approach.

A controlled independent five-site evaluation study demonstrated that accurate and precise CD-4 T-cell counts, equivalent to traditional methods of T-cell enumeration, can be obtained much more affordably using the Guava EasyCD4 system.

Absolute CD4 counts in children undergo variation with age and development, so additional parameters are needed to monitor progression of paediatric HIV infection. An accepted indicator for this patient population is CD4 percentage, which is CD4 absolute counts expressed as a percentage of total lymphocytes. The novel Guava EasyCD4% assay provides both absolute CD4 and CD4% values with the same simplicity of protocol and ease of use as the internationally adopted Guava EasyCD4 and EasyCD8 assays. The Guava CD4% assay yields comparible results to clinical lab predicate methods for both CD4% and CD4 counts.

The Guava EasyCD4 system and EasyCD4% assay represent an optimised, integrated system of reagents, software and instrumentation. Guava Technologies' patented microcapillary cytometry technology enables the instrument to be highly compact, portable and low maintenance. Performance of the Guava assays is simple, with even novice users learning to use the EasyCD4% method in just a day or two. Testing requires only 10 microlitres of whole blood per patient, making the method suitable for use in pediatric as well as adult patients. The Guava EasyCD4% assay also requires far less reagent per sample than other testing methods, dramatically lowering the overall costs of performing the assay. Moreover, the Guava EasyCD4% assay does not require nearly the amount of dedicated laboratory infrastructure. The system also does not require large amounts of buffered water as sheath fluid that are required by conventional flow cytometers. The elimination of the use of sheath fluid also results in less bio-hazardous waste and significantly further reduces the running costs of using the system. Daily maintenance is minimal - just a fast and easy 5 minute clean and shutdown procedure performed at the end of each day. Through a team of highly trained and very capable engineers and applications specialists - service and support for the Guava EasyCD4 system is available worldwide.

A copy of new literature describing the Guava EasyCD4 system and assays entitled 'The Power of Easy and Affordable T-cell Counting' may be downloaded from the article webpage.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported that over 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS worldwide and three million are dying annually from the disease. The ability to cost effectively monitor disease progression in remote parts of the world, as well as provide adequate treatment, is an essential requirement for battling the disease. Monitoring patients' T-lymphocyte cell counts and various sub-populations are standard indicators of when to begin treatment for opportunistic infections, initiate antiretroviral therapy, and monitor disease progression.