Author/Editor     Poljak, M; Seme, K; Tomažič, J; Vidmar, L; Koren, S
Title     Clinical evaluation of Amplicor test for detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 proviral DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Type     članek
Source     Period Biol
Vol. and No.     Letnik 98, št. 2
Publication year     1996
Volume     str. 205-10
Language     eng
Abstract     *Background and purpose: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven too be very important in the study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS and has demonstrated both diagnostic and research utility. Recently a standardised PCR kit (Amplicor HIV-1 DNA Test) for detection of HIV-1 DNA in blood samples was developed by Roche Molecular Systems. In this work we have summarised our experiences acquired during one and a half year of the routine use of Amplicor HIV-1 DNA Test. Material and methods: 217 whole blood samples collected on EDTA (60 anti HIV-1 positive, 126 negative and 31 indeterminate) from 176 patients in Slovenia were investigated. Results: Sensitivity and specificity of the commercial test on anti HIV-1 positive and anti HIV-1/2 negative samples turned out to be nearly 100%. One Amplicor false positive result which was obtained in initial testing is probably the consequence of sample to sample contamination which occurred during detection procedure of amplification products. Indeterminate serological status of 13 out of 14 subjects who presented first with an indeterminate Western blot plattern in the time of the study was rapidly and accurately resolved using a commercial test. Obe subject, whose initial indeterminate Western blot progressed to HIV-1 seropositivity two weeks later, was initially tested negative by Amplicor test. However, the sequential specimens obtained from the same patient one and three weeks later revealed clearly positive result with both commercial and in-house PCRs. Conslusions: The present study confirmed that Amplicor HIV-1 DNA Test is a practical, rapid, sensitive and specific supplemental test for detection of HIV-1 infection, particularly for quick resolving of HIV indeterminate serological status.
Descriptors     ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME
POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION
HIV-1
HIV-2
IMMUNOENZYME TECHNIQUES
BLOTTING, WESTERN
HIV SEROPOSITIVITY
REAGENT KITS, DIAGNOSTIC
DNA
LEUKOCYTES, MONONUCLEAR