Semiquantitative PCR in the diagnosis of HIV infection: correlation to clinical stage and serological status.

Abstract

Authors utilized the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect the presence of HIV DNA in 31 subjects (12 seropositive patients, 4 seronegative, at risk persons and 15 seronegative, not at risk controls). PCR was highly sensitive (enabling the detection of as few as 10 proviral genomes) and specific. By comparison to known amounts of HIV DNA, it was possible to obtain semiquantitative evaluation. No correlation was found between the proviral amount and the clinical stage of the disease or the p24 antigenemia.