LAUSR

Point of care (POC) tests for antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) could help improve individual adherence. This study sought to define the utility of urine, blood, and buccal swabs as minimally invasive specimens amenable to development of POC tests for ARVs. Urine, dried blood spots (DBS) and buccal swabs were collected from 35 HIV-negative men between 2 and 96 hours following a single dose of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/emtricitabine (FTC)/elvitegravir (EVG)/cobicistat and darunavir (DRV). ARV concentrations were measured by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. High concentrations of FTC, DRV and TFV were detectable in urine at least 24 hours after dosing. FTC, DRV and EVG remained detectable in DBS at least 24 hours post dose. FTC and DRV were detectable on buccal swabs up to 2- and 24-hours post dose, respectively. TFV was not detectable in DBS or buccal swabs collected between 2 and 96 hours after dosing. Variable distribution of ARVs in minimally invasive specimens highlights the challenge of developing POC assays for recent ARV exposure.