Diagnosis of vertical HIV-1 transmission using the polymerase chain reaction and dried blood spot specimens.

摘要: We have used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect HIV proviral sequences in minute amounts of peripheral blood collected onto newborn screening blotters. Forty-three newborns, infants, and children HIV-infected mothers were serially studied: dried spot (DBS) specimens processed for PCR; serum was assayed antibodies, p24 antigen, immunoglobulins; mononuclear cells cultured CD4 quantitated by immunofluorescence. There excellent agreement between results PCR, viral culture, clinical immunological indicators infection. Eighteen 19 infected tested positive both PCR including six asymptomatic infants who less than 10 weeks age. As expected, antigen capture assays insensitive, detecting only 13 children. One infant but negative culture antigen. This seropositive at 27 months had pronounced hypergammaglobulinemia association with non-specific symptoms. Twenty-four 43 normal immune profiles, declining antibody levels no evidence These repeatedly assays. Our indicate that DBS is a sensitive, specific, cost-effective alternative early diagnosis (or exclusion) perinatal sampling opens way large-scale prospective studies determine exact rates vertical transmission industrialized, as well as, nonindustrialized countries.