Sensitive detection of genetic variants of HIV-1 and HCV with an HIV-1/HCV assay based on transcription-mediated amplification

J Virol Methods. 2002 Apr;102(1-2):139-55. doi: 10.1016/s0166-0934(02)00012-5.

Abstract

This paper describes a comprehensive study of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) genotype sensitivity of the transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)-based HIV-1/HCV assay, developed and manufactured by Gen-Probe Incorporated (San Diego, CA) for screening human plasma specimens in blood bank settings. The TMA HIV-1/HCV assay is a qualitative, in vitro nucleic acid testing system used for initial screening. HIV-1 and HCV discriminatory assays are used to distinguish between HIV-1 and HCV infection or co-infection. In this study, multiple unique specimens representing HCV genotypes 1-6 were tested at various dilutions. The results show that the TMA HIV-1/HCV assay and the TMA HCV discriminatory assay have similar HCV genotype sensitivity, as both assays detected all six genotypes at 100 copies/ml and nearly all replicates tested at 30 copies/ml. Similarly, numerous unique specimens representing HIV-1 group M subtypes (A-G), HIV-1 group N, and group O specimens were tested at various dilutions. The TMA HIV-1/HCV assay and the TMA HIV-1 discriminatory assay were found to have similar HIV-1 subtype sensitivity; all variants at 100 copies/ml and nearly all at 30 copies/ml were detected. These results indicate that the TMA assays meet the sensitivity requirements for blood screening in blood banks worldwide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Genetic Variation*
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / classification
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Hepacivirus / classification
  • Hepacivirus / genetics
  • Hepacivirus / isolation & purification
  • Hepatitis C / blood
  • Hepatitis C / virology*
  • Humans
  • Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic