Document 0574
 DOCN  M94A0574
 TI    Measurement of plasma viraemia in HIV infected individuals using CD4
       capture and RT-PCR.
 DT    9412
 AU    Block AA; Sonza S; Dunne AL; Mills J; Crowe SM; Macfarlane Burnet Centre
       for Medical Research, Fairfield,; Victoria.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1993 Oct 28-30;5:99 (poster no. 49).
       Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM5/94349081
 AB    The use of reverse transcription and the polymerase chain reaction
       (RT-PCR) has become an integral part of the detection of viral RNA
       levels in the plasma of HIV infected individuals. The high sensitivity
       of this detection system makes it particularly useful in the monitoring
       of anti-retroviral therapy. Previous studies comparing RT-PCR and
       quantitative microculture, on a range of patient samples, has shown that
       levels detected by RT-PCR exceed infectious virus titre by as much as
       1,000-10,000 fold. We have developed and are currently, optimising an
       RT-PCR assay that uses CD4 capture to selectively bind intact virions.
       Only RNA from these captured particles is subjected to RT-PCR, and
       quantified using biotinylated oligonucleotides in a two-stage nested
       PCR. The Captagene ELISA from AMRAD Corporation is used to detect the
       amplified sequences containing the biotin molecule. We are currently
       comparing viral titres from a wide range of patient samples, as measured
       with CD4 capture RT-PCR, RT-PCR on total extracted RNA, and quantitative
       microculture.
 DE    Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay  Human  HIV/ISOLATION & PURIF  HIV
       Infections/*DIAGNOSIS/MICROBIOLOGY  *Leukocyte Count  *Polymerase Chain
       Reaction  *Transcription, Genetic  T4 Lymphocytes/*IMMUNOLOGY
       Viremia/*DIAGNOSIS/MICROBIOLOGY  Virus Cultivation  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).