A branched DNA signal amplification assay for quantification of nucleic acid targets below 100 molecules/ml

摘要: The branched DNA hybridization assay has been improved by the inclusion of novel nucleotides, isoC and isoG, in amplification sequences to prevent non-specific hybridization. isoC, isoG-containing have no detectable interaction with any natural sequence. control turn permits increased signal amplification. Addition a 14 site preamplifier was found increase signal/noise ratio 8-fold. A set 74 oligonucleotide probes designed consensus HIV POL detection limit this new amplifier approximately 50 molecules/ml. used measure viral load 87 plasma samples HIV- infected patients on triple drug therapy whose RNA titers were <500 In all 11 eventually declined below assay.