HIV-RNA Quantitation (HIV Viral Load)

Penn State Special Hematology Laboratory has been trained and certified by the Bayer Corporation to perform the Branched DNA procedure for the quantitation of HIV-RNA (HIV Viral Load). The procedure utilizes a synthetic branched nucleic acid probe to detect as little as 50 copies of HIV-RNA per ml of plasma. This test is  useful in the monitoring of antiviral therapy for HIV infection.