Branched DNA assay data

Data gathered with the com-pany's branched DNA assay showed the potential of the test for monitoring HIV and hepatitis B infection. In an evaluation of plasma samples from 50 patients infected with HIV-1, the assay could quantitate 10-fold changes in plasma HIV RNA, and appeared most useful when CD4 cell counts dropped below 500 cells/microliter. In another study in two patients, the test was used to follow the fluctuations in viral load as compared to the appearance of resistance to AZT therapy. Data on the test's performance in measuring hepatitis C viral RNA were also reported. ...