Genotypic testing for HIV-1 drug resistance using dried blood samples.

In third-world countries, dried blood samples (DBS) are a convenient alternative to plasma for monitoring viral load during HIV-1 therapy. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using DBS to perform HIV-1 drug resistance genotyping in a ViroSeq assay in which the protease and reverse transcriptase regions of the pol gene are analyzed. Fifty-seven antiretroviral genotypes from plasma samples were tested, and drug resistance genotypes were determined.

Use of dried blood samples for monitoring hepatitis B virus infection.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a problem in several regions of the world with limited resources. Blood samples dried on filter paper (DBS) have been successfully used to diagnose and monitor several infectious diseases. In Mexico there is an urgent need for an affordable and easy sampling method for viral load (VL) testing and monitoring of chronic HBV infection.

[Epidemiologic and situational panorama of hepatitis C in Mexico].

Objective: To determine the epidemiological situation of Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) in our country.

Background Data: Chronic Hepatitis C affects 170 million people worldwide, and about 0.7% of Mexican population.