Absence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) proviral sequences in seronegative hemophilic men and sexual partners of HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs

• Published in: Transfusion (Philadelphia, Pa.) Vol. 32; no. 2; p. 104
• Main Authors: Bailly, E, Kleim, J P, Schneweis, K E, van Loo, B, Hammerstein, U, Brackmann, H H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.1992
• Subjects: Algorithms; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Factor XIII Deficiency - complications; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Hemophilia A - complications; HIV - genetics; HIV - isolation & purification; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Immunoblotting; Male; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Proviruses - genetics; Proviruses - isolation & purification; Sexual Behavior; von Willebrand Diseases - complications
• ISSN: 0041-1132
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1537-2995.1992.32292180136.x

To detect latent infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), specimens of peripheral blood leukocytes from HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs and from sexual partners of HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The primer pair SK 38/39 derived from the gag region and/or the primer pair SK 68/69 corresponding to a conserved region of the env gene were used. Whereas HIV proviral DNA was detected by PCR in samples from 86 (97%) of 89 HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs, no HIV-DNA was found in blood samples of 198 HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs at risk. Of 40 HIV-seronegative sexual partners of HIV-infected hemophiliacs, none was PCR positive. Thus, PCR is proving to be a sensitive method by which to confirm infection in seropositive hemophiliacs, while the negative results in HIV-seronegative hemophiliacs and HIV-seronegative sexual partners of HIV-seropositive hemophiliacs suggest that a prolonged seronegative period of latent HIV infection is the exception.