Detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) genome from the lymphocytes of homosexual men

Comparison of Immobilon-N membrane and other membranes for the detection of HIV-1 genome in high risk patients using PCR

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of the HIV-1 genome from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of high risk patients. The gag regions of HIV-1 (SK38-SK39) were chosen to amplify viral DNA and the amplified products were spotted onto membrane filters and hybridized with a 32P-labeled SK19 probe. Nitrocellulose, nylon and polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane filters were used and compared in dot-blot hybridization. PVDF (Immobilon-N, trade name) filter membranes were demonstrated to be the best membranes on the basis of hybridization data and showed a stronger signal on autoradiograms than the other two types (nitrocellulose and nylon).

Monte Carlo simulation of the heterosexual selective spread of the human immunodeficiency virus

The spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by heterosexual intercourse, during the first 2 years following the introduction of the virus among a sexually active and unprotected group of men and women, is modelled by Monte Carlo simulation. A beta distribution of the infectee's risks of infection per infected partner-month is assumed, with the same coefficient of variation as used in previous studies for risk of conception (natural fecundability), but with a mean of 0.04 per infected partner-month, after scaling the distribution. The number of sexual partners that one sex has (here, the women), is assumed to be more variable than for the other, with a mean of 2 partners each. The individual infection risks per infected partner-month are generated initially and do not change, but some random gains and losses of partners occur each month. Infections are updated each month. It is found in this simple model that women who become infected by 2 years had a mean risk of infection (not counting the original infector) only about 13% higher than the others. Some implications of the low selection are noted. Very great variability in the number of infections subsequently due to an index seropositive is found, which prevents easy discrimination in the characteristics of "at-risk" persons.

A comparison of reverse transcriptase and antigen capture assays for the detection of HIV

HIV antigen capture assay (ELISA) and reverse transcriptase assay were compared for the detection of HIV. Purified virus and the supernatant of infected cells were used for this study. Antigen capture assay was found to be at least one hundred times more sensitive than the RT assay, and for a large number of samples easier to perform. This assay would be useful for clinical and laboratory diagnosis.