DETECTION OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS-1 NUCLEIC-ACID ON INACTIVATED FILTER-PAPER DISKS BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION AND MICROTITER PLATE ASSAY

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in cultured cells, periphe ral blood samples and sera were adsorbed on filter paper disks and ina ctivated by heat or ethanol. Two procedures, the polymerase chain reac tion (PCR) and microtiter plate assay (HMPA) were used to detect the n ucleic acid. The sensitivity after different heat treatments with nest ed PCR for HIV-1 DNA (or nested reverse transcription-PCR for HIV-1 RN A) was identical regardless of whether the samples were examined immed iately or one month later. Inactivation by ethanol treatment resulted in a slight loss of sensitivity. The HMPA proved to be as reliable and specific as the conventional PCR technique. We conclude that the heat -treated filter paper disk assay is suitable for identifying HIV nucle ic acid in clinical samples sent to the laboratory from a distance, e. g. in an envelope.