Exploration of an Efficient Simultaneous Molecular Detection Method of HIV, HCV, and Syphilis from a Single Dried Blood Spot / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA using one dried blood spot (DBS) as an alternative sample to plasma.@*Method@#A total of 571 paired DBS/plasma samples were collected from men who have sex with men (MSM) and injection drug users (IDUs), and serological and molecular assays were performed. Using plasma results as the reference standard, the performance of DBS tests for HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA was evaluated. Pearson's correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman analysis were performed to assess the correlation and concordance between DBS and plasma.@*Results@#Among paired plasma/DBS samples with detectable HIV-1 RNA and HCV RNA, five samples (5/32) were not detectable in DBS, while measurable HIV-1 RNA levels were present in plasma (1.44 to 3.99 log @*Conclusion@#The performance of the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA using one DBS was acceptable. DBS, as an alternative sample to plasma, may be a viable option for the simultaneous detection of HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA, and HCV RNA in resource-limited settings or for individuals living in areas that are difficult to access.

Evaluation of a novel HIV-1 DNA reagent in clinical application / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the clinical application of a novel HIV-1 DNA reagent.@*Methods@#HIV-1-infected and non-infected human blood samples were selected, as well as weakly positive samples, indeterminate samples, specific samples. Compared the result of HIV-1 DNA reagent with HIV-1 infection status (refer to the National Guideline for Detection of HIV/AIDS (2015)), the accuracy of the HIV-1 DNA reagent was evaluated in clinical application; Meanwhile, the commercially available RNA quantification kit was selected as reference reagent for parallel detection, and then the consistency and differences were evaluated between HIV-1 DNA reagent and RNA quantification reagent.@*Results@#A total of 95 whole blood samples were tested by the HIV-1 DNA reagent. Taking the HIV-1 infection status as the reference standard, the result showed that the positive agreement rate was 100% (95%CI: 93.94%-100%), the negative agreement rate was 100% (95%CI: 90.26%-100%), and the overall agreement rate was 100% (95%CI: 96.19%-100%). The Kappa value was 1 (95%CI: 1.00-1.00). The HIV-1 DNA reagent could detect weakly positive samples and indeterminate samples of early infection, and could effectively distinguish false-positive samples tested by the Ag-Ab reagent. The specific samples had no false-positive result .@*Conclusions@#The result of HIV-1 DNA reagent were consistent with the HIV-1 infection status. It can be considered as equivalent to the HIV-1 detection reagent commercially available in our country. It can effectively identify the indeterminate samples in the early infection. Compared with the RNA quantification reagent, it can effectively detect HIV-1 DNA of virus reservoirs.

Outcome of Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission of HIV in an Urban Population in Southern India.

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission (PPTCT) of HIV program in an urban Southern Indian setting. Design: Observational study. Setting: Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) Centers/ Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTC) at four government Obstetrics Institutes in an urban area. Participants: 100 HIV-positive pregnant women and their infants delivered in the study centers. Methods: Triple drug ART to HIV-positive pregnant women was started for maternal indications only. Rest of the pregnant women were given single dose Nevirapine (200 mg) at the onset of labor. All infants were given single dose Nevirapine (2 mg/kg) prophylaxis, according to National AIDS Control Organization guidelines. Mothers were counseled regarding breastfeeding and artificial feeding, and the choice was left to them. Whole blood HIV 1 DNA PCR was done for all infants at 6 weeks of life. A second PCR was done at 6 months or 6 weeks after stopping breastfeeds. PCR-positive infants were started on ART, and were followed-up till18 months of life. Results: Four infants were PCR-positive for HIV. All of them were breastfed. They were born to mothers of HIV stage 1 or 2 who were not on ART as CD4 counts were >350 cells/mm3. Among the mothers in Stage 3 or 4 or CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 and on ART, none of the infants was HIV-positive. The cumulative HIV-free survival at 18 months was 94%. Conclusion: Parent-to-child transmission rate in HIV was low with the currently used strategies . Triple drug ART to mother reduces mother-to-child transmission despite advanced maternal stage or low CD4 counts.