Implementation of pooled testing to increase access to routine viral load monitoring for people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy

Summary

Peer-reviewed implementation evaluation at the TB Reference Laboratory Bamenda using the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 viral load assay in pools of three. 12,396 plasma specimens processed with only 6,797 assays (0.55 assays per result) — a 45% saving that enabled an additional 5,409 people (+80% capacity) to receive routine viral load results. Bland–Altman mean bias only –0.51 log copies/mL; estimated misclassification of unsuppressed specimens at 0.01% under the implemented ≥ 40 copies/mL cutoff.