title: Use of a focal infectivity assay for testing susceptibility of HIV to antiviral agents.
abstract: A highly sensitive and quantitative focal immunoassay has been developed for detecting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The assay can be used to measure cell-free virus or the production of HIV by virus-infected cells. Both laboratory-adapted strains of HIV and patient isolates can be studied with this assay. In this communication, we demonstrate the utility of this assay for measuring the effects of anti-HIV agents on viral isolates. We show that the anti-viral effects of such diverse agents as azidothymidine, interferon-alpha, immunotoxins, soluble CD4 and antibody can be accurately quantified. This assay may be used in the discovery and evaluation of new anti-HIV therapies or may be adapted for use in testing the sensitivity of patient isolates to standard therapeutic agents.
authors.affiliation: NIAID Rocky Mountain Laboratories.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wehrly
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chesebro
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000276:immunology; D006678:HIV / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000494:pharmacology; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000276:immunology; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology; D000922:Immunotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000494:pharmacology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012276:Ricin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015686:Gene Products, env; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D019302:HIV Envelope Protein gp160; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D000922:Immunotoxins; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011498:Protein Precursors; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015215:Zidovudine; D012276:Ricin