To evaluate the performance of this assay in limited resource settings where storage and shipment of DBS at ambient/roomtemperature (.25uC) is the norm, we investigated the effect of 37uC temperature on the stability of DBS/RNA, by comparing the detection of HIV-1 RNA in DBS samples stored at 220uC or 37uC. We also evaluated 7 days of storage at 37uC to emulate shipment of DBS from the point of preparation (clinic) to a tertiary referral center (reference-laboratory), and compared the assay results to those of identical DBS stored promptly at 220uC. No statistically significant difference in viral load was observed for 12 samples stored either at -20uC or 37uC (Wilcoxon signed rank test, p = 0.06) ( Figure 2 ). Further, to evaluate for potential loss of RNA over time in DBS samples stored at 220uC and 37uC, viral load was determined on RNA samples extracted day 1 and day 7 postpreparation of DBS. The data (available for 8 patients) for days 1 and 7 were comparable irrespective of the storage temperature (paired Wilcoxon test; data not shown).