QUANTIFICATION BY ADDITIVE RT-PCR OF HIV-1 RNA PLASMA-LEVELS IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF HIV-1 INFECTION

In this study, virion-associated RNA was measured in plasma from twent y six patients in various stages of HIV-1 disease by the additive RT-P CR method. Plasma viral RNA levels were inversely correlated (r = -0.7 2894) with total CD4(+) cell counts and directly (r = 0.86964) with se rum titre beta(2)-microglobulin in chronically infected patients. This additive RT-PCR is based on a mathematical logistic adjustment of the standard curve and the use of an internal standard identical to the t arget molecule, which represents a control system for the efficiency o f RT-PCR and allows a continuous assessment of the accuracy based on t he recovery.