CD4 Volunteers
AFCG Volunteers for CD4 Testing in Resource Poor Areas
Welcome
The aim of this page is to provide a resource for news and information on this initiative. There has been a big response to calls for attending "Train the Trainer" workshops and several are planned over the year. This initiative is to provide support to local flow cytometrists so that they can gain the ability and confidence to perform CD4 testing accurately and to provide a backup to our colleagues in nearby countries such as PNG, Indonesia and South East Asia. This we will carry out in partnership with local agencies operational in the area of interest.
The Problem
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been available by a variety of means to people living with HIV/AIDS in resource poor countries. However, in order to receive the therapy reliable CD4 counts must be performed on a regular basis. To date there has been no validated objective method for performing this other than by flow cytometry. The failure to provide accurate CD4 results is a culmination of many factors including inability to maintain Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), inappropriate blood collection practices, unreliable electricity supplies and failure in external QC programs.
Possible Solutions
Part of the solution is to have volunteers visit district labs to provide encouragement and assistance to lab workers who have undergone a full training program but feel insecure in getting things going by themselves. In addition, volunteers will be equipped to provide training to other workers who may have had to step up and take on the new role of CD4 testing at short notice. These tasks will be performed under the auspices of the local agency.
"Train the Trainer" Workshops
Invitation to Take Part
There will be a series of 2-day workshops in 2009 at various cities where participants will be taught how to train prospective lab technicians in resource-poor countries to perform reliable CD4 tests using BD Biosciences equipment. The course will be instructed by one of BD Biosciences top trainers and by the end of the course you will be able to demonstrate:
CD4 Testing Using the BD FACSCount™ System
CD4 Protocols and Clinical Standard Operating Procedures
The Standardization of Quality Assurance Procedures for Flow Cytometers
CD4 and Flow Cytometry Troubleshooting
Pipetting
This course is open to all interested and willing flow cytometrists. We only ask that you have an understanding of flow cytometry, clinical laboratory practice, have experience in working with standard operating procedures, understand the principles of working in a potentially biohazardous environment and are considering using this knowledge to work as a volunteer in a resource poor nation. There is no requirement that you are a BD customer or that you are working or have worked in a clinical laboratory.
There are no course fees and we are currently negotiating travel and accommodation costs.
For further information please contact Deborah Shapira (deborah.shapira@csiro.au).
News
Report on first workshop held in Sydney 3-4th February, 2009 - click to download (PDF).
Mini half-day workshop to be held at Brisbane AFCG meeting
There will be a half day workshop on CD4 testing in resource poor communities at the next AFCG meeting in November 2009. It will be sandwiched in between the Methods Course and Conference giving the opportunity for participants of both to attend. It will include a run down of the 2 day course, an introduction to the FACSCount™ and possibly Tales from the Field by our own volunteers. For further details keep an eye out for the AFCG meeting details elsewhere on this site.
Resources
Downloads
D. Shapira presentation at AIMS 2008 (PDF)
PNG HIV Strategy (PDF)
Useful Links
Joint UN program on HIV/AIDS: http://www.unaids.org/en/
President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief: http://www.avert.org/pepfar.htm
AusAID: http://www.ausaid.gov.au
William J Clinton Foundation: http://www.clintonfoundation.org/
Cytometry for Life: http://www.cytometryforlife.org
African Medical Research Foundation: http://www.amref.org/
The Lowy Institute: http://www.lowyinstitute.org/