Futuristic illustration of HIV lactate monitoring

Lactate Levels: A Quick & Easy Test for People with HIV?

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research explores a portable lactate analyzer for monitoring CSF and plasma, offering a potential solution for early detection of metabolic issues."

For people living with HIV, managing their health involves a complex balancing act. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved lives, but some medications, particularly nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to increased lactate levels.

High lactate levels can indicate metabolic disorders and other health problems. Monitoring lactate is crucial, but traditional lab tests can be slow, expensive, and not always accessible. What if there was a faster, easier way to keep track of lactate levels? Recent research investigates a portable lactate analyzer as a potential solution.

This article dives into a study comparing a portable lactate analyzer with a standard laboratory device for measuring lactate in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. We'll explore the accuracy, benefits, and potential implications of this technology for people with HIV.

The Promise of Point-of-Care Testing: Is a Portable Analyzer the Answer?

Futuristic illustration of HIV lactate monitoring

The study, conducted at the University of California, San Diego, involved 178 participants, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative. Researchers collected CSF and plasma samples and tested them using both the Accutrend® Lactate portable analyzer and a reference laboratory device (SYNCHRON LX® 20). The goal was to see how well the portable analyzer measured up against the gold standard.

So, what did they find? The portable analyzer showed promising results, particularly for plasma lactate measurements. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Plasma: The portable analyzer was highly sensitive (95%) and specific (87%) in detecting abnormal lactate levels.
CSF: The analyzer was highly specific (95%) but had lower sensitivity (33%). However, it was excellent at identifying normal lactate levels (95% negative predictive value).

These results suggest that the portable analyzer is reliable for measuring lactate concentrations in CSF that fall within the normal range. However, elevated results should be confirmed with a traditional lab test due to the lower positive predictive value.

Empowering People with HIV: The Future of Lactate Monitoring

The study highlights the potential of portable lactate analyzers for point-of-care testing, especially in settings with limited access to traditional labs. The Accutrend® Lactate offers a faster, more convenient way to monitor lactate levels, empowering individuals and healthcare providers to detect potential problems early.

While further research is needed, particularly to improve the sensitivity for detecting elevated CSF lactate levels, this technology offers a promising step forward in managing the health of people living with HIV.

The ease of use and affordability of portable analyzers could lead to more frequent monitoring, earlier detection of metabolic issues, and ultimately, better health outcomes for people on antiretroviral therapy.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/0004-282x20140076, Alternate LINK

Title: Portable Lactate Analyzer For Measuring Lactate In Cerebrospinal Fluid (Csf) And Plasma ? Method-Comparison Evaluations

Subject: Neurology

Journal: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Sérgio Monteiro De Almeida, Jennifer Marquie-Beck, Archana Bhatt, Scott Letendre, Allen Mccutchan, Ron Ellis

Published: 2014-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the significance of Lactate Levels for individuals managing HIV?

Lactate is a byproduct of cellular metabolism, and elevated Lactate Levels can indicate metabolic disorders, especially in individuals managing HIV. This is particularly relevant due to the potential side effects of some Antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications, such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), which can lead to mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequently increase Lactate Levels. Early detection of such elevations is crucial for effective health management.

How can the Accutrend® Lactate analyzer benefit individuals living with HIV?

The Accutrend® Lactate portable analyzer has the potential to revolutionize lactate monitoring for individuals managing HIV by providing faster, more accessible testing. This point-of-care testing can be particularly beneficial in settings with limited access to traditional laboratories. The analyzer showed promising results for plasma lactate measurements and can empower both individuals and healthcare providers to detect potential problems early, leading to proactive health management.

What devices were used in the study to measure lactate levels?

The study compared the Accutrend® Lactate portable analyzer with the SYNCHRON LX® 20, a reference laboratory device. The study involved 178 participants, both HIV-positive and HIV-negative. The goal was to assess how well the portable analyzer performed against the gold standard. The research collected and tested samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma using both devices to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the portable analyzer.

What were the key findings of the study regarding the portable analyzer?

The portable analyzer showed promising results, especially for plasma lactate measurements. The analyzer demonstrated high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (87%) in detecting abnormal lactate levels in plasma. In cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the analyzer showed high specificity (95%), but lower sensitivity (33%). The analyzer was excellent at identifying normal lactate levels, particularly when it comes to negative predictive value (95%).

Why is monitoring Lactate Levels important for people with HIV?

Monitoring Lactate Levels is important because it helps detect metabolic disorders and potential health problems early, which is particularly significant for individuals living with HIV. Some Antiretroviral therapy (ART) medications, especially NRTIs, can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to increased Lactate Levels. Therefore, monitoring Lactate Levels can provide valuable insights into metabolic health and allows for timely interventions to manage complications effectively. Early detection and intervention are crucial for managing health and improving outcomes.