Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and PCR for the diagnosis of HIV infection in infants.
Int Conf AIDS. 1990 Jun 20-23;6(1):137 (abstract no. Th.A.15). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA6/10001590 Lee FK; Ou CY; Nesheim SR; Jones D; Schochetman G; Nahmias AJ; Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare ELISPOT, a new immunological technique, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the early diagnosis of HIV infection in infants. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 62 infants born to seropositive mothers were prospectively tested for HIV antibody-secreting cells by ELISPOT, and for HIV genetic material by PCR. Test results were related to the infant outcome, as determined by clinical follow-ups and the serologic status at, or over, 18 months of age. RESULTS: Of this cohort of 62 infants, 14 had become symptomatic, virus-culture positive, or have remained seropositive after 18 months of age. Eleven of these infected were positive by both ELISPOT and PCR; one hypogammaglobulinemic child was PCR+ but repeatedly ELISPOT-, and another infant, who was culture+, was also ELISPOT+ but repeatedly PCR-; the remaining infant in this group was ELISPOT+/- (due to high background), and was PCR+. Of the 24 children who seroreverted and remained asymptomatic, 21 were negative by both assays. One PCR- child was initially weakly positive by ELISPOT, but was negative on repeated test; the remaining 2 children were both ELISPOT- but PCR+ on initial testing; however, they were PCR- on repeated testing of the same specimens. Of the last group of 24 infants, who were still seropositive, asymptomatic and less than 15 months of age, 21 had concordant negative results; 1 was positive by both assays; 1 was PCR+ ELISPOT-; the remaining one was PCR+ and ELISPOT+/-. CONCLUSION: Combined use of ELISPOT and PCR provides a very high reliability in identifying infected infants. This combination should offer greater credence to a positive result for an early diagnosis of HIV, which is important in view of the onus that a positive HIV label would mean for an infant.
Keywords: Cohort Studies Comparative Study DNA, Viral/ANALYSIS *Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay Follow-Up Studies Human HIV/GENETICS HIV Antibodies/ANALYSIS HIV Infections/*DIAGNOSIS Infant *Polymerase Chain Reaction Prospective Studies ABSTRACT 901230
M90C3703
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
