Table 2.

Cost and Time Analysis for Each ddPCR Method Compared to HIV-1 p24 ELISA

	HIV-1 p24— ELISA	ddPCR—two-step	ddPCR—one-step	ddPCR—one-step automated
Assay costs
I. Cost per test	$4.15	$13.90	$12.30	$12.30
II. Cost for n = 500 samples	$4,773a	$6,950	$6,150	$6,150
Technician time/costs
III. Samples loaded per plate	32	88	88	88
IV. Number of total plates = (500/III)	19a	6	6	6
V. Technician time (h) for RNA isolation (n = 500)	—	26	26	26
VI. Technician time (h) for separate cDNA RT (n = 500)	—	25	—	—
VII. Technician time per HIV-1 p24 or ddPCR plate (h)	6	2	2	1.3
VIII. Total technician time (h) = (IV×VII)+V+VI	114	63	38	34
IX. Cost for technician time @$25/HR with benefits	$2,850	$1,575	$950	$850
Total cost
X. Total cost for 500 samples = II+IX	$7,623	$8,525	$7,100	$7,000b

Costs are estimates and do not include equipment costs.

^aIncludes 15% of samples that required dilutions and additional measurements due to the dynamic range of the kit; samples ran in duplicate.

^bDoes not include cost of the automated droplet generator, the additional piece of ddPCR equipment needed to perform this specific method.