Important note: Information in this article was accurate in May 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, May 2, 2005
Staff Medical Writers
According to recently published research from Japan, "A new estimation method for quantitation of HIV-1 DNA was established by introducing a prequantitation polymerase chain reaction (PCR) before conventional real-time PCR."
"Two alternative methods for estimating the copy number can be used: the first method utilizes the rate of beta2-microglobulin (beta2M) gene amplification during the prequantitation PCR, and the second utilizes a calibration curve of the crossing point of real-time PCR versus the standard HIV-1-plasmid concentration.
"These methods could be used to reproducibly and accurately detect a provirus density down to five copies/106 cells (for methods 1 and 2, interassay CV=17 and 16% and accuracy=81 and 92%, respectively)," wrote H. Nagai and colleagues at the National Hospital Organization in Nagoya.
"The levels of HIV-1 DNA could be measurable using as little as 100 microliter of whole blood or buffy coat cells," scientists reported.
"Using a combination of a conventional and highly sensitive methods," said the authors, "we found that the amount of HIV-1 DNA ranged from 2 to 5960 copies/106 cells (median of 830 copies/106 cells) in CD4-positive T lymphocytes isolated from 30 patients responding well to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)."
"Thus, the highly sensitive method developed in this study allows estimation of the HIV-1 reservoirs in peripheral CD4-positive T lymphocytes of patients responding well to HAART," Nagai concluded.
Nagai and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Virological Methods (New estimation method for highly sensitive quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA and its application. J Virol Methods. 2005 Mar;124(1-2):157-65.
For additional information, contact T. Kaneda, National Hospital Org, Center Med, Clinical Research Center, Naka Ku, 4-1-1 Sannomaru, Nagoya, Aichi 4600001, Japan.
Publisher contact information for the Journal of Virological Methods is: Elsevier Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Keywords: Aichi, Japan, Real-Time PCR, HIV-1 DNA, Viral Reservoir, HAART, Response to Therapy.
This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
Reference
Nagai H, Wada K, Morishita T, et al., New estimation method for highly sensitive quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 DNA and its application, J Virol Methods. 2005 Mar;124(1-2):157-65.
PubMED Related articles Search
050502
AW050501
Copyright © 2005 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2005. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright © 1980,2005. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.