Viral measurement by polymerase chain reaction-based assays in human immunodeficiency virus-infected infants.
Serial samples from human immunodeficiency virus-infected infants in the first year of life were analyzed by quantitative human immunodeficiency virus polymerase chain reaction assays. Very high, persistent levels of plasma RNA and proviral DNA were detected throughout the study period, suggesting the absence of an effective immune response. Most patients had normal CD4 lymphocyte counts and were symptom free for the first 3 to 6 months despite high levels of viral replication. These findings support the evaluation of early intervention (before symptoms develop) and efforts to establish the predictive value of these assays.
Palumbo
P E
PE
Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA.
Kwok
S
S
Waters
S
S
Wesley
Y
Y
Lewis
D
D
McKinney
N
N
Bardeguez
A
A
Connor
E M
EM
Oleske
J M
JM
D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D006678:HIV / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D014766:Viremia / Q000097:blood; D014779:Virus Replication
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral