Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus DNA Using the Polymerase Chain Reaction in a Well-Characterized Group of Homosexual and Bisexual Men

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 161; no. 3; pp. 436 - 439
• Main Authors: Lifson, Alan R., Stanley, Mark, Pane, Jim, O'Malley, Paul M., Wilber, Judith C., Stanley, Allyson, Jeffery, Beverly, Rutherford, George W., Sohmer, Paul R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The University of Chicago Press 01.03.1990; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: AIDS; AIDS/HIV; Antibodies; Base Sequence; Bisexuality; DNA; DNA Probes; DNA, Viral - analysis; DNA, Viral - genetics; HIV; HIV 1; HIV Antibodies - analysis; HIV Infections - diagnosis; HIV-1 - genetics; HIV-1 - immunology; HIV-1 - isolation & purification; Homosexuality; human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infections; Major Articles; Male; Male homosexuality; Men; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Predictive Value of Tests; Specimens
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/161.3.436

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) DNA was performed on specimens from 197 homosexual and bisexual men enrolled in studies of HIV-1 infection. Thirty cycles of amplification were conducted, followed by detection with probes corresponding to two gag primer pairs (SK 38/39 and SK 101/145). Of 107 men who were HIV-1 antibody-negative, 105(98%) were PeR-negative. Two who were initially PeR-positive antibodynegative were PCR- and antibody-negative on repeat testing of both the same specimen and specimens drawn 8-10 months later; this suggests that the first PCR results were false-positive. Of 90 men who were antibody-positive, PCR was positive in 87 (97%), including all 13 with AIDS, all 22 with AIDS-related conditions, all 11 with generalized lymphadenopathy only, and 41(93%) of 44 without signsor symptoms of HIV-1 infection. On repeat testing, all 3 PCR-negative, antibodypositive men were PCR-positive. In this population and with this technique, PCR had excellent agreement with the HIV-1 antibody test.