University of Malawi: Developing precise measurements of Nevirapine plasma concentrations and assessing population drug exposure in HIV-infected Malawian adults.

This research intends to compare the accuracy and precision of dried blood spots with plasma samples for the measurement of HIV drug concentrations in HIV infected Malawian adults. At the same time population drug exposure shall be measured. Measurements for determination of accuracy and precision will be done using HPLC or highly sensitive LC-MS/MS The goal of the research is to establish the feasibility of monitoring adherence to therapy, and performing pharmacokinetic studies of antiretrovirals using filter paper methodology for NRTIs, NNRTIs and PIs. Blood samples will be collected from 100 HIV positive adults enrolled on ART programme at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. Adherence will be measured by comparing pill count and drug plasma concentration. Laboratory work will be conducted at facilities at the MLW Clinical Research Programme in Malawi and in UK at University of Liverpool. These blood spots are relatively easy to take, are low cost, more acceptable to patients, and are easier to transport and store. Therefore if the dried blood spot drug measurements prove sufficiently robust this offers an important new approach to therapeutic drug monitoring in HIV in a variety of settings.

Programme: International Masters Fellowship

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