title: Comparative evaluation of the QUANTIPLEX HIV-1 RNA 2.0 and 3.0 (bDNA) assays and the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR v1.5 test for the quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in plasma.
abstract: HIV-1 RNA measurements from 84 plasma specimens obtained with the QUANTIPLEX HIV-1 RNA 2.0 and 3.0 (bDNA) assays (Chiron Diagnostics, Emeryville, CA) and with the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Test, version 1.5 with ultra-sensitive specimen preparation (Roche Diagnostic Systems, Inc., Branchburg, NJ) were compared. The absolute RNA values of tested specimens differed significantly between bDNA 2.0 and bDNA 3.0 or Monitor v1.5 measurements (Wilcoxon signed-rank test P<0.001). Results generated with bDNA 3.0 or with Monitor v1.5 were approximately twofold greater than those generated with bDNA 2.0, with smaller differences at higher HIV-1 RNA levels and greater differences at RNA levels below 1000 copies per ml. Although highly correlated (r=0.92 and 0.86, respectively), viral load data generated with bDNA 2.0 and either bDNA 3.0 or Monitor v1.5 were in poor agreement. Concordant results (difference in log(10) copies per ml <0.5) were found at frequencies of 80% for bDNA 2.0 and bDNA 3.0 and only at 58.5% for bDNA 2.0 and Monitor v1.5. In contrast, bDNA 3.0 and Monitor v1.5 measurements were highly correlated (r=0.96) and in good agreement (92.7%).
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, National Retrovirus Reference Center, Athens University Medical School, 75 Mikras Asias Street, GR-11527 (Goudi), Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Anastassopoulou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Touloumi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katsoulidou
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatzitheodorou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pappa
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paraskevis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazanas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gargalianos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hatzakis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D021121:Branched DNA Signal Amplification Assay; D015342:DNA Probes; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D015342:DNA Probes; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic