title: Evaluation of GBV-C / HVG viremia in HIV-infected women.
abstract: The present study aimed at standardizing a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay to evaluate the presence of GBV-C/HGV RNA. A "TaqMan" assay using primers and probe derived from the 5¢ NCR region was developed and validated. Two hundred and fifty-three plasma samples from HIV-infected women were tested for GBV-C viremia and antibody against the envelope protein 2. GBV-C RNA was detected in 22.5% of the patients whereas the antibody was identified in 25.3% of the cohort. Detection of viral RNA and of antibodies was mutually exclusive. Viral loads showed a mean of 1,777 arbitrary units / mL, being 1.1 and 13,625 arbitrary units / mL respectively the lowest and highest values measured. We conclude that the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method developed is appropriate for the investigation of GBV-C RNA since it was shown to be highly specific and sensitive, as well as requiring few steps, preventing contamination and providing additional information as to the relative viremia of carriers, a parameter that must be included in studies evaluating the co-factors influencing the clinical outcome of HIV/AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Synara Araújo
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Célia Lima
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Aléia Faustino
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: José Eduardo
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Levi
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D029407:GB virus C / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014766:Viremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral