title: Qualitative multiplex RT-PCR for simultaneous detection of hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus in plasma samples.
abstract: This report describes the development of a one-tube multiplex reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR assay for the simultaneous detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in plasma samples. The assay was evaluated with two panels of HCV- and HIV-1-positive samples, as well as negative plasma specimens. Extraction and amplification of HCV and HIV-1 RNA from plasma samples were performed in a single reaction, and amplified genomes were detected with specific probes. Serial dilutions of the HCV and HIV-1 first World Health Organization International Standards were used to evaluate the sensitivity of the method. Two RNA controls were constructed to determine inter-assay variations and the sensitivity of the amplification step. The assay had good specificity and detected all the genotypes and subtypes tested. The analytical sensitivity of the entire assay was 100 IU/mL for HCV and 200 IU/mL for HIV-1, while the amplification step detected ten copies/reaction for HCV and 20 copies/reaction for HIV-1. The multiplex assay allowed the simultaneous extraction, amplification and detection of two virus genomes, thereby providing an important practical advantage and an efficient approach for analysing individual and pooled plasma donations.
authors.affiliation: Consorzio Fenice, DRMM University of Undine, Udine, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Adami
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falasca
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dorotea
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Malangone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Astori
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Biffoni
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degrassi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pipan
mesh_terms: D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral