PCR AMPLIFICATION OF HIV AND CELLULAR DNA-SEQUENCES IN FORMALDEHYDE-FIXED, IMMUNOREACTIVE WHITE BLOOD-CELLS

Full utilization of the diagnostic power of PCR amplification of speci fic DNA sequences has been hampered by the logistical difficulties in handling potentially infectious human DNAs and by the polymerization o f nonspecific, competing DNA products in PCR assays of low-frequency D NA sequences. To overcome these difficulties, we have devised a sensit ive, specific PCR strategy that readily detects 5 copies of HIV provir us in a background of 105 disinfected white blood cells collected from formaldehyde-fixed peripheral blood.