Those familiar with the controversy surrounding HIV and AIDS are no doubt aware of the multitude of problems with the so called “viral load” test for HIV RNA.
Viral Load fits into the bigger big pharma scheme of unvalidated surrogate markers. A particularly egregious example is the use of viral load testing to diagnose "chronic" hepatitis C infections - approved by the FDA in 1997. The new miracle cure wonder drugs for Hepatitis C are all based upon a PCR "Sustained Virological Response" (SVR).
Here is a respected Hepatitis C doctor explaining why Hepatitis C viral load testing is a scam:
For a novel twist on "HIV" viral load, and the possibility of clinical utility outside the HIV theory of AIDS, see https://www.bmj.com/content/363/bmj.k4419/rr
Viral Load fits into the bigger big pharma scheme of unvalidated surrogate markers. A particularly egregious example is the use of viral load testing to diagnose "chronic" hepatitis C infections - approved by the FDA in 1997. The new miracle cure wonder drugs for Hepatitis C are all based upon a PCR "Sustained Virological Response" (SVR).
Here is a respected Hepatitis C doctor explaining why Hepatitis C viral load testing is a scam:
https://www.healio.com/news/hepatology/20160413/expert-svr-does-not-equate-to-a-cure-in-hcv