[The evidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in the seronegative subjects of high-risk groups].
BACKGROUND
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a new diagnostic procedure which has been used to recognise HIV-infected individuals who remain seronegatives.


METHODS
Genomic DNA isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 90 high-risk individuals were analyzed by PCR using gag primers SK 38/39. Subjects were classified in four groups: 42 drug abusers, 35 heterosexual partners of HIV-infected individuals, 9 homosexual men, and 4 health care workers accidentally exposed to HIV. Liquid hybridization using radiolabelled probes was done to confirm the results. All samples were also tested for HIV antigen and antibodies (Ab) using EIA and Western blot (WB).


RESULTS
Two out of 11 (18%) drug abusers and 5 out of 34 (14%) couples were PCR positive in absence of HIV antibodies. This silent HIV infections were not recognized in homosexuals and health care workers. All 38 seropositive samples were PCR positive. None of the samples PCR+/Ab- was positive for HIV antigenemia or showed indeterminate results in the WB assay.


CONCLUSIONS
Silent HIV infections were recognized in drug abusers (18%) and couples of HIV-infected individuals (14%). Mechanisms involved in the production of this "occult" HIV infections are reviewed.
Soriano
V
V
Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Barcelona.
Hewlett
I
I
Tor
J
J
Esteve
M
M
Granada
I
I
Muga
R
R
Epstein
J
J
Medrano
L
L
D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015497:HIV-1; D006282:Health Personnel; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000276:immunology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000276:immunology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D015483:HIV Antibodies
Evidencia de infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en sujetos de colectivos de alto riesgo que son seronegativos.