6th International AIDS Conference San Francisco, California, USA — June 20-23, 1990

Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:319 (abstract no. 1023)
Bankowski MJ, Kuhns M, McNamara A, Schade S, Birkenmeyer L, Kucik S, Kennedy M, Urbanski P, Hagerty J, Farrington K, et al; Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL., USA

OBJECTIVE: PCR in conjunction with a sensitive and quantitative hybridization assay might be useful in monitoring HIV-infected patients undergoing anti-viral therapy. These patients are usually monitored by culture, HIV-1 antigen (p24), or lymphocyte subset analysis. In early symptomatic disease, these tests may lack the sensitivity needed to adequately monitor the efficacy of anti-viral therapy.

METHODS: Twenty five HIV-infected patients enrolled in an AZT/acyclovir study, were monitored by HIV culture, plasma p24 antigen, lymphocyte subset analysis, and PCR for HIV-1 provirus in blood mononuclear cells (MNC's). The PCR product of the gag region was quantitated by hybridization in solution with a highly specific single-stranded 125I DNA probe. Hybrids were separated from free probe by gel exclusion chromatography. Thirty normal individuals were included as controls.

RESULTS: PCR and liquid hybridization routinely detected HIV-1 DNA in HIV infected patients even in cases where MNC culture and plasma p24 were negative. Out of the 30 normal controls no HIV-1 DNA was detected. Although patients showed variable levels of HIV-1 DNA, anti-viral therapy appeared to decrease the HIV-1 DNA levels in some cases. In vitro AZT treatment of HIV-1 infected H9 cells resulted in decreased levels of both p24 antigen and HIV-1 DNA.

CONCLUSIONS: The polymerase chain reaction coupled with a convenient, sensitive, and quantitative solution hybridization assay is useful in monitoring HIV-1 DNA levels during anti-viral therapy.

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