Author/Editor     Poljak, Mario; Seme, Katja; Babič, Dunja Z
Title     Molecular diagnostics of parenterally transmissible viruses
Translated title     Molekularna diagnostika parenteralno prenosljivih virusov
Type     članek
Source     In: Luzar B, Poljak M, Glavač D, et al, editors. Molekularna diagnostika v medicini. Zbornik 15. spominsko srečanje akademika Janeza Milčinskega, 36. memorialni sestanek profesorja Janeza Plečnika, 1. srečanje Slovenskega društva za humano genetiko z mednarodno udeležbo; 2005 30 nov - 2 dec; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Medicinska fakulteta,
Publication year     2005
Volume     str. 363-77
Language     eng
Abstract     Serological testing represents a highly sensitive, low-cost and quick approach to screen for the presence and to confirm infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), types 1 and 2, as well as with human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), types I and II. However, molecular detection of proviral DNA or viral RNA is required in certain situations, like in infants born to HIV or HTLV infected mothers, in individuals with indeterminate results of; confirmatory tests, in distinguishing between HIV-1 and HIV-2 and HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections and in determining of HIV or HTLV status in an early phase of infection. The measuring of plasma HIV-1 RNA viral load is currently used to assess the disease stage, to predict the progression of patients to AIDS, and to monitor HIV-1-infected patients receiving potent antiretroviral therapy. In addition, in recent years, HIV drug resistance testing has become an important component of management of the patients on antiretroviral therapy, mainly assisting in the selection of appropriate drug regimen in patients in whom treatment is failing due to drug resistant virus. HBV DNA viral load tests are useful for resolving diagnostic uncertainties following serological testing for HBV markers and represent indispensable tools for the management of the patients with chronic hepatitis B. They are used in the management of anti-HBe positive patients (distinction of the inactive HBsAg carriers from the patients with chronic HBeAg-negative hepatitis), for the decision to treat and selection of optimal antiviral therapy, and in monitoring the effectiveness of HBV antiviral treatment. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
Descriptors     VIRUS DISEASES
HIV-1
HIV-2
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
HEPATITIS B VIRUS
DNA, VIRAL
HEPATITIS C-LIKE VIRUSES
RNA, VIRAL