Absence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proviral sequences in seronegative hemophilic men and sexual partners of HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs.
To detect latent infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), specimens of peripheral blood leukocytes from HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs and from sexual partners of HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primer pair SK 38/39 derived from the gag region and/or the primer pair SK 68/69 corresponding to a conserved region of the env gene were used. Whereas HIV proviral DNA was detected by PCR in samples from 86 (97%) of 89 HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs, no HIV-DNA was found in blood samples of 198 HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs at risk. Of 40 HIV-seronegative sexual partners of HIV-infected hemophiliacs, none was PCR positive. Thus, PCR is proving to be a sensitive method by which to confirm infection in seropositive hemophiliacs, while the negative results in HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs and HIV-seronegative sexual partners of HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs suggest that a prolonged seronegative period of latent HIV infection is the exception.
Bailly
E
E
Institute for Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Bonn, Germany.
Kleim
J P
JP
Schneweis
K E
KE
van Loo
B
B
Hammerstein
U
U
Brackmann
H H
HH
D000465:Algorithms; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005177:Factor XIII Deficiency / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000150:complications