title: Detection of HIV-1 proviral sequences in lymphocytes using a qualitative polymerase chain reaction assay.
abstract: The performance and clinical relevance of a qualitative PCR-based assay for the detection of HIV-1 DNA sequences in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated by two different laboratories. Four hundred and one samples were obtained from 397 individuals from different risk populations. All blood donors tested had negative results; positive signals were obtained from all infected patients. HIV-1 DNA was detected in 3 of 17 infants born to seropositive mothers; Western blot indeterminate blood donors and exposed health-care workers had negative results. Our results demonstrate that this PCR assay provides both sensitive and specific results and is suitable for testing large numbers of samples and for rapid identification of HIV-1 infection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili, Italy.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lillo
authors.forename: O E
authors.initials: OE
authors.lastname: Varnier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bresciani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Molinelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abecasis
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albertini
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000821:virology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral