title: Quantitative competitive RNA PCR for quantitation of virion-associated HIV-1 RNA.
abstract: Quantitative competitive PCR is a highly sensitive technique that allows accurate quantitation of small amounts of RNA. We have modified the original method to include the use of an internal standard at all stages of sample analysis. In this way, the method can accommodate for variations in the recovery of viral particles and in the isolation of genomic RNA as well as provide a suitable competitive substrate during quantitative RNA PCR. We have used this method to characterize changes in virus load in plasma of HIV-1-seropositive individuals following their vaccination against opportunistic infections.
authors.affiliation: Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester 01655, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brichacek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D012015:Reference Standards; D014771:Virion / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral