FACSCount: A New System to Standardize Monitoring of HIV Patients

FACSCount/Page 4
HOW IT WORKS
To operate the system, a measured sample of whole blood is
added to a pre-dispensed reagent in a sealed vial.
After incubation, the sample is mixed and placed in the
instrument. A software algorithm locates cell populations of
interest. An on-board computer performs data management and
instrument operations--steps previously requiring manual
intervention.
The display screen prompts the user at all points during the
run of a sample. Other features include a cleaning cycle and a
shutdown routine to ensure trouble-free operation.
A numerical keyboard allows entry of operator and laboratory
identification and sample accession number.
A direct readout of absolute CD4, CD8 and CD3 numbers is
printed out on the integral printer. Control and reagent lot ID
numbers are also stored and identified on the printout for
quality control purposes. The system operates from a standard
power source.
System linearity is ensured by running zero, low, medium and
high controls in accordance with accepted laboratory standards.
The assay configuration is designed to improve reproducibility
and will reject samples that show poor precision.
HIV PANDEMIC
Currently, a minimum of eight to ten million HIV infections
are estimated to have occurred in adults worldwide since the
beginning of the pandemic, and about one million children are
believed to have been born infected with HIV, according to the
World Health Organization.

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