Using RT-PCR and bDNA assays to measure non-clade BHIV-1 subtype RNA

The performance of the new version of RT-PCR assay (Amplicor(TM) HIV-1 Moni tor(TM) v1.5) was assessed. The quantification of non-B subtype HIV-1 plasm a RNA (30A, 1C, 1D, 3E, 2F, 3G) obtained using Monitor(TM) v1.5 was compare d to the former version of this assay (Monitor(TM) v1.0) and to the Quantip lex(TM) v2.0 bDNA assay. The new primers used in Monitor(TM) v1.5 were simi lar to the former version in both specificity and sensitivity. The new prim ers corrected the detection and quantification defect observed previously f or HIV-1 non-B subtypes and gave slightly higher RNA concentrations than th ose measured using the bDNA assay (+ 0.39 log copies/ml). (C) Published by 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.