Abbott’s HIV viral load diagnostic test gets WHO prequalification approval

The World Health Organization has granted Abbott prequalification approval for its CE marked m-Pima HIV-1/2 VL viral load diagnostic test, a quantitative nucleic acid amplification test for viral load measurement in plasma samples of HIV type 1 groups M/N and O, and HIV-2. It is a portable molecular point-of-care platform for use in remote locations like some parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America, where resources are limited, and can measure viral load in less than 70 minutes, so results can be given to the patient without the need for another appointment. It also allows for immediate treatment decisions, which is particularly of benefit when monitoring the viral load of HIV-positive pregnant women, and where there is suspected HIV treatment failure.
Damian Halloran, vice president of infectious disease in emerging markets for Abbott Rapid Diagnostics, said: “With WHO prequalification, global funders and ministries of health can now confidently expand access to viral load testing, reaching more people who need the test.”