Improved detection of HIV-1 envelope sequences using optimized PCR and inosine-substituted primers.
We describe inosine-substituted 'consensus' primers for the detection of HIV-1 envelope sequences by the polymerase chain reaction. The primers, modifications of SK68 and SK69, are highly specific (100%) and sensitive (greater than 94%) and they prevent false-negative results due to variation in the HIV-1 genome. Consensus primers are needed to ensure the detection of most, if not all, variants of HIV-1 including American, African and newly emerging strains.
Cassol
S
S
Federal Centre for AIDS, Health and Welfare, Ottawa, Canada.
Salas
T
T
Lapointe
N
N
Arella
M
M
Rudnik
J
J
O'Shaughnessy
M
M
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000382:microbiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000382:microbiology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007288:Inosine; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; D007288:Inosine