The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) in collaboration with the University of Connecticut (UC), successfully presented findings on the clinical validation of a disposable plasma separator for HIV viral load testing in Zambia during the CIDRZ Research Meeting held at its headquarters in Lusaka.

The study focused on developing and evaluating a simple, rapid and centrifuge-free plasma separation device designed to support decentralised HIV viral load testing in resource-limited settings.

Speaking during the presentation, Ms Bertha Tamara Nzangwa, a Laboratory Scientist said that the study evaluated the performance of the disposable plasma separator using clinical HIV-positive blood samples collected in Zambia. The study compared plasma obtained using the separator against standard centrifugation methods used in conventional laboratory testing.

Ms Nzangwa noted that the findings demonstrated a strong correlation between the two methods, with the plasma separator showing comparable performance for HIV viral load testing.

She further highlighted that the device was designed to process small blood volumes and does not require electricity-dependent centrifugation, demonstrating its potential for point-of-care and decentralised diagnostic applications. The presentation also emphasised the importance of developing simplified plasma preparation technologies that can support future integration with portable HIV viral load testing platforms and improve access to diagnostics in resource-limited settings.