title: Detection of HIV DNA in peripheral blood by the polymerase chain reaction: a study of clinical applicability and performance.
abstract: We evaluated the applicability and performance of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a clinical setting in two independent studies. In a study of its applicability, the specificity and sensitivity of PCR for detection of HIV DNA were 100% (225 out of 225 seronegative, low-risk individuals tested negative) and 94% (67 out of 71 seropositive individuals tested positive), respectively. In a second study evaluating the performance of PCR, seven out of 474 (1.5%) antibody-negative specimens were found to be positive, 149 out of 151 (99%) antibody-positive specimens were positive, and 12 out of 13 (92%) antibody-indeterminate specimens were negative for HIV DNA. The results from these studies show that PCR in a clinical environment is specific and sensitive. PCR is also useful in the detection of HIV infection in the absence of HIV-specific antibody and the resolution of equivocal antibody results.
authors.affiliation: Specialty Laboratories, Inc., Santa Monica, California.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Peter
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Winters
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral