BD ( Becton Dickinson and Company ) has launched a new efficient CD4 count monitoring system, FACS Presto on February, 17, 2015. The platform is a near patient system that can measure the absolute and percentage of CD4 T Lymphocytes and haemoglobin concentration from whole body blood. 

Weighing less than 7 kgs, the system is capable of testing samples from venous or capillary blood for more than 6 hours continously due  tobuilt in rechargeable battery. This is a unique feature as it can easily work in remote settings. 

The National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune had conducted a evaluative study on the 150 samples. It found out that the accuracy is perfect. As per its spokesperson,  FACS Presto has shown great accuracy and precision during the tests and it equals to the current gold standard. 

 The CD4 testing of HIV AIDS patients allows the patients an access to treatment and monitoring,  thereby reducing the risk of transmission of disease to others and plan a proper treatment schedule.

As per Mr Varun Khanna, managing director, BD India, FACS Presto expands the the ability to stage and manage the HIV AIDS patients near their homes. With this launch, we are hopeful that the system will be helpful in limited resource settings such as states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,  Karnataka and North Eastern region "