DETECTION OF HIV-1 DNA IN LEUKOCYTES USING A COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ASSAY

Recently, an assay for detection of proviral HIV-1 DNA in leukocytes b ecame commercially available. This assay (Amplicor HN-I test, Roche Di agnostic Systems) multiplies HIV-L DNA up to a detectable level, using the polymerase chain reaction. We studied performance of this assay o n 74 samples from HIV-l-infected patients and on 41 samples from healt hy blood donors. Twice a negative control sample appeared to be errone ously reactive. However, sensitivity and specificity on the patient an d donor samples both were 100%. To avoid false-positive results, we ad vise to repeat initially reactive samples if no other data confirm HIV -infection.