POSSIBILITY OF DETECTING HIV-1 IN BONE SP ECIMENS BY A PCR IN A MICROTITER-PLATE ASSAY FOR HIV-1

It is known that HIV can be transmitted by allogenous bone transplanta tion. Hitherto neither chemical nor physical methods have existed to a llow reliable disinfection and sterilization of bone specimens without reducting osteogenetic potency. Only demonstration or exclusion of th e presence of HIV-1 in a bone specimen guarantees that infection will not occur. The method now presented for HIV detection is based on a po lymerase chain reaction (PCR). This HIV microtiter-plate assay combine s amplification of DNA molecules with a staining reaction. In cultures containing HIV-infected cells definite detection of viruses was possi ble when 50-100 cells per specimen were infected. Examination of 137 H IV-negative and 25 HIV-positive bone specimens showed sensitivity of 9 6% and specificity of 97.8% for the test. In subsequent studies, after drying on filter paper viral DNA was again demonstrable by the PCR. T his means safe handling and uncomplicated transportation of non-infect ious specimens to a central analysis laboratory are possible. This HIV test offers the possibility of quick and safe demonstration that spec imens are free of HIV and is therefore likely to enhance the safety of bone transplantation considerably.