HIV Virology and Pharmacology Laboratory

The PHPT IRD dedicated laboratory based at the Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences (AMS), Chiang Mai University has been accredited by the Association of Medical Technologists of Thailand (AMTT based on ISO 15189: 2003).

Several techniques have been established:

• Viral Load: Assessment of plasma HIV-1 RNA levels using different methods.
• Early HIV Diagnosis of infants: HIV-1 DNA-polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR)  assay on dried blood spots (DBS).
• Drug Resistance: Detection of HIV drug resistance mutations using the ViroSeq HIV-1 Genotyping system version 2.0 (Applied Biosystems) or the ANRS sequencing technique and ultrasensitive detection of NNRTI associated RT mutations using an Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay (OLA).
• Antiretroviral Drug Levels: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assays.

The laboratory participates in international quality control programs for all techniques, (VQA program, NIH, USA, ACTG Pharmacology Precision Testing, USA and Asqua Lab, France). All laboratory staff receive regular training on handling bio-hazardous specimens and shipment of dangerous goods, following the Centers for Disease Control universal precautions for clinical specimens.