Comparison of the Abbott m2000 HIV-1 Real-Time and Roche AMPLICOR Monitor v1.5 HIV-1 assays on plasma specimens from Rakai, Uganda.

The need for viral load (VL) monitoring of HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings (RLS) has become apparent with studies showing the limitations of immunological monitoring. We compared the Abbott m2000 Real-Time (Abbott) HIV-1 assay with the Roche AMPLICOR Monitor v1.5 (Roche) HIV-1 assay over a range of VL concentrations. Three hundred and eleven plasma samples were tested, including 164 samples from patients on ART ≥ six months and 147 from ART-naïve patients. The Roche assay detected ≥400 copies/mL in 158 (50.8%) samples. Of these, Abbott produced 145 (91.8%) detectable results ≥400 copies/mL; 13 (8.2%) samples produced discrepant results. Concordance between the assays for detecting HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL was 95.8% (298/311). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Abbott to detect HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL were 91.8%, 100%, 100% and 92.2%, respectively. For the 151 samples with HIV-1 RNA ≥400 copies/mL for both assays, a good linear correlation was found (r = 0.81, P < 0.0001; mean difference, 0.05). The limits of agreement were -0.97 and 1.07 log(10) copies/mL (mean ± 2 SD). The Abbott assay performed well in our setting, offering an alternative methodology for HIV-1 VL for laboratories with realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR) capacity.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasensitive heat-denatured HIV-1 p24 antigen in non-B subtypes in Kampala, Uganda.

We evaluated the accuracy of heat-denatured, amplification-boosted ultrasensitive p24 assay (Up24) compared with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We tested 394 samples from Ugandans infected with HIV-1 non-B subtypes. We compared Up24 levels (HIV-1 p24 Core Profile enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), NEN Life Science Products) to RNA viral loads (Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor 1.5, Roche) by linear regression, and calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. Median viral load was 4.9 log10 copies/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 2.6-5.5); 114 samples (29%) were undetectable (<400 copies/mL). Sensitivity of the Up24 assay to detect viral load ≥400 copies/mL was 69%, specificity was 67%, and positive and negative predictive values were 84% and 47%, respectively. Sensitivity of Up24 was 90%, 80%, 68%, 62% and 45% to detect viral loads of >500,000, 250,000-500,000, 100,000-250,000, 50,000-100,000 and 400-50,000 copies/mL, respectively. In conclusion, when compared with RT-PCR for patients infected with non-B subtypes, the Up24 demonstrated limited sensitivity especially at low viral loads. Moreover, the Up24 was positive in 33% of samples deemed undetectable by RT-PCR, which may limit the use of the Up24 to detect viral suppression.

Performance of the Euroline Western blot assay in the detection of herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody in Uganda, China and the USA.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. While glycoprotein G-2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are commonly used for the serological detection of HSV-2 antibodies, they have low specificity in developing countries. The Euroline Western blot (WB) is a commercially available assay that is easy to perform; however, little is known about its performance characteristics. This study evaluated Euroline WB for the detection of HSV-2 antibodies compared with University of Washington Western blot in three geographically different regions: Baltimore, MD, USA; Rakai, Uganda; and Kunming, China. Among the 135 American men attending a STI clinic in Baltimore, MD, 72% (n = 97) were HSV-2-positive by Euroline WB, showing a sensitivity of 97.8% and a specificity of 81.8%. Among the 273 commercial sex workers in Kunming, 62.3% were HSV-2-positive by Euroline WB (sensitivity 96.9%, specificity 89.1%). Among the 437 Ugandans in Rakai, 67.3% were HSV-2-positive by Euroline WB (sensitivity 98.7%, specificity 65.4%). The Euroline WB has a consistently high sensitivity, but specificity varied significantly among the different locations.

Using tests for recent infection to estimate incidence: problems and prospects for HIV.

Tests for recent infection (TRIs), such as the BED assay, provide a convenient way to estimate HIV incidence rates from cross-sectional survey data. Controversy has arisen over how the imperfect performance of a TRI should be characterised and taken into account. Recent theoretical work is providing a unified framework within which to work with a variety of TRI- and epidemic-specific assumptions in order to estimate incidence using imperfect TRIs, but suggests that larger survey sample sizes will be required than previously thought. This paper reviews the framework qualitatively and provides examples of estimator performance, identifying the characteristics required by a TRI to estimate incidence reliably that should guide the future development of TRIs.

Aetiology of genital ulcer disease in female partners of male participants in a circumcision trial in Uganda.

HIV acquisition is associated with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection and genital ulcer disease (GUD). Three randomized control trials demonstrated that male circumcision significantly decreases HIV, HSV-2, human papillomavirus and self-reported GUD among men. GUD is also decreased among female partners of circumcised men, but it is unknown whether male circumcision status affects GUD pathogens in female partners. For the evaluation of GUD aetiology, two separate multiplex assays were performed to detect Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Of all the female GUD swabs evaluated, 67.5% had an aetiology identified, and HSV-2 was the primary pathogen detected (96.3%). However, there was no difference in the proportion of ulcers due to HSV-2 or other pathogens between female partners of circumcised men (11/15, 73.3%) compared with uncircumcised men (15/25, 60.0%, P = 0.39). The seroprevalence of HSV-2 is high in this population and therefore most of the detected HSV-2 infections represent reactivation. Since GUD is associated with HIV acquisition and one-third of GUD in this study did not have an aetiological agent identified, further research is needed to better understand the aetiology of GUD in Africa, and its relationship to circumcision and HIV infection.

Evaluation of multiplex real-time PCR for detection of Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum, herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in the diagnosis of genital ulcer disease in the Rakai District, Uganda.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a real-time PCR assay that reliably and accurately detects the predominant sexually transmitted aetiological agents of genital ulcer disease (GUD) (Haemophilus ducreyi, Treponema pallidum and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2)) and to assess the use of real-time PCR diagnostic testing in a rural African field site. METHODS: Two multiplex real-time PCR reactions were used to detect H ducreyi/and HSV-1/HSV-2 in ulcer swabs from 100 people with symptomatic genital ulcers in rural Rakai, Uganda. Results were compared with syphilis, HSV-1 and HSV-2 serology. RESULTS: Of 100 GUD samples analysed from 43 HIV positive and 57 HIV negative individuals, 71% were positive for one or more sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens by real-time PCR (61% for HSV-2, 5% for T pallidum, 3% for HSV-1, 1% for H ducreyi and 1% for dual H ducreyi/HSV-2). The frequency of HSV in genital ulcers was 56% (32/57) in HIV negative individuals and 77% (33/43) in HIV positive individuals (p = 0.037). Assay reproducibility was evaluated by repeat PCR testing in the USA with 96% agreement (kappa = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: STI pathogens were detected in the majority of GUD swab samples from symptomatic patients in Rakai, Uganda, by real-time PCR. HSV-2 was the predominant cause of genital ulcers. Real-time PCR technology can provide sensitive, rapid and reproducible evaluation of GUD aetiology in a resource-limited setting.

Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection among commercial sex workers in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the sociodemographic correlates of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection among male and female commercial sex workers in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China. HSV-2 prevalence was 33.0%, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was 2.4% and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was 6.8%. Subjects who were positive for HSV-2 had a significantly higher prevalence of HIV infection (5.5% versus 0.9%, P = 0.002; odds ratio [OR]: 6.4, P = 0.006) and HCV infection (18.7% versus 2.4%, P < 0.001; OR: 7.6, P < 0.001) compared with HSV-2-negative individuals. Risk factors that increased the odds of HSV-2 infection were HIV infection, HCV infection, being female, and having a steady sex partner within the last six months (P < or = 0.01). In a multivariate analysis, being female (OR: 6.6, P < 0.001), having HCV infection (OR: 5.9, P < 0.001) and having a sex partner within the last six months (OR: 2.2, P < 0.05) showed greater odds of being infected with HSV-2. A strong relationship was found between HSV-2, HIV and HCV infections.

Human immunodeficiency virus seroconversion and evolution of the hepatitis C virus quasispecies.

When chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are complicated by acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), liver disease appears to accelerate and serum levels of HCV RNA may rise. We hypothesized that HIV might affect the HCV quasispecies by decreasing both complexity (if HIV-induced immunosuppression lessens pressure for selecting HCV substitutions) and the ratio of nonsynonymous (d(N)) to synonymous (d(S)) substitutions, because d(N) may be lower (if there is less selective pressure). To test this hypothesis, we studied the evolution of HCV sequences in 10 persons with chronic HCV infection who seroconverted to HIV and, over the next 3 years, had slow or rapid progression of HIV-associated disease. From each subject, four serum specimens were selected with reference to HIV seroconversion: (i) more than 2 years prior, (ii) less than 2 years prior, (iii) less than 2 years after, and (iv) more than 2 years after. The HCV quasispecies in these specimens was characterized by generating clones containing 1 kb of cDNA that spanned the E1 gene and the E2 hypervariable region 1 (HVR1), followed by analysis of clonal frequencies (via electrophoretic migration) and nucleotide sequences. We examined 1,320 cDNA clones (33 per time point) and 287 sequences (median of 7 per time point). We observed a trend toward lower d(N)/d(S) after HIV seroconversion in 7 of 10 subjects and lower d(N)/d(S) in those with rapid HIV disease progression. However, the magnitude of these differences was small. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that HIV infection alters the HCV quasispecies, but the number of subjects and observation time may be too low to characterize the full effect.

The natural history of hepatitis C virus infection: host, viral, and environmental factors.

CONTEXT: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may resolve (viral clearance), persist without complications, or cause end-stage liver disease (ESLD). The frequency and determinants of these outcomes are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and determinants of viral clearance and ESLD among persons who acquired HCV infection from injection drug use. DESIGN AND SETTING: Community-based prospective cohort study with enrollment in 1988-1989 and a median follow-up of 8.8 years. SUBJECTS: A total of 1667 persons aged 17 years or older with a history of injection drug use and an HCV antibody-positive test result during follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Viral clearance was assessed in a subset of 919 patients and defined as failure to detect HCV RNA in at least 2 consecutive samples collected 5 or more months apart. End-stage liver disease was assessed at semiannual visits and by review of medical records and death certificates and defined by the presence of ascites, esophageal varices, or hepatic encephalopathy, or when ESLD was stated as a cause of death. RESULTS: Viral clearance was observed in 90 persons who were compared with 722 with persistent viremia, while the viremia of 107 was not resolved. Viral clearance occurred more often in nonblacks (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.60-10.17) and those not infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (adjusted OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.26-3.47). Forty cases of ESLD were observed throughout follow-up (incidence, 3.1 per 1000 person-years). In a multivariate model, risk of ESLD was higher for persons aged 38 years or older at enrollment (adjusted relative incidence, 3.67; 95% CI, 1.96-6.88) and who reported ingestion of more than 260 g of alcohol per week (adjusted relative incidence, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.73-7.52). Of 210 patients without ESLD randomly selected for biopsy, only 2 had cirrhosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that although HCV infection can be self-limited or associated with ESLD, the majority of adults have persistent viremia without clinically demonstrable liver disease. Further research is needed to explain the less frequent clearance of HCV infection among black persons and to improve utilization of treatment for those infected in the context of injection drug use. JAMA. 2000;284:450-456

Hypervariable region 1 sequence stability during hepatitis C virus replication in chimpanzees.

The putative envelope 2 (E2) gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains a highly variable region referred to as hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). We hypothesized that this genetic variability is driven by immune selection pressure, rather than representing the accumulation of random mutations in a region with relatively little functional constraint. To test this hypothesis, we examined the E2 sequence of a human inoculum that was passaged through eight chimpanzees, which appear to have a replicative rate (opportunity for chance mutation) similar to that of humans. Acute-phase plasma samples from a human (the inoculum) and six of eight serially infected chimpanzees were studied. For each, 33 cloned cDNAs were examined by a combined heteroduplex-single-stranded conformational polymorphism assay to assess quasispecies complexity and optimize selection of clones with unique gel shift patterns (clonotypes) for sequencing. The sequence diversity of HCV was significantly lower in the chimpanzees than in the humans, and during eight serial passages there was no change in the sequence of the majority clonotype from each animal examined. Similarly, the rates of protein sequence altering (nonsynonymous) substitution were lower in the chimpanzees than in the humans. These findings demonstrate that nonsynonymous mutations indicate selection pressure rather than being an incidental result of HCV replication.

Determinants of the quantity of hepatitis C virus RNA.

To test the hypothesis that person-to-person variability in blood levels of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA can be explained, the quantity of HCV RNA was assessed in 969 persons who acquired HCV infection in the context of injection drug use. Serum HCV RNA levels ranged from 200,000 to >120 million equivalents/mL (the linear range of the assay). The median log10 HCV RNA level was 0.46 higher in 468 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive persons than in 501 HIV-negative persons (P<.001). In addition, among HIV-negative persons, lower HCV RNA levels were independently associated with younger age (P<.001), ongoing hepatitis B infection (P=.005), and the absence of needle sharing (P=.02). However, >90% of the person-to-person HCV RNA level variability was not explained by these sociodemographic, environmental, and virologic factors. Additional research is necessary to ascertain what determines the level of HCV RNA in blood.

Acute hepatitis C virus structural gene sequences as predictors of persistent viremia: hypervariable region 1 as a decoy.

We hypothesized that hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence is related to the sequence variability of putative envelope genes. This hypothesis was tested by characterizing quasispecies in specimens collected every six months from a cohort of acutely HCV-infected subjects (mean duration of specimen collection, 72 months after seroconversion). We evaluated 5 individuals who spontaneously cleared viremia and 10 individuals with persistent viremia by cloning 33 1-kb amplicons that spanned E1 and the 5' half of E2, including hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). To assess the quasispecies complexity and to detect variants for sequencing, the first PCR-positive sample was examined by using a previously described method that combines heteroduplex analysis and analysis of single-stranded conformational polymorphisms. The ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions (dN/dS) within each sample was evaluated as an indicator of relative selective pressure. Amino acid sequences were analyzed for signature patterns, glycosylation signals, and charge. Quasispecies complexity was higher and E1 dN/dS ratios (selective pressure) were lower in those with persistent viremia; the association with persistence was strengthened by the presence of a combination of both characteristics. In contrast, a trend toward higher HVR1 dN/dS ratios was detected among those with persistent viremia. We did not detect any such association for factors that may affect complexity such as serum HCV RNA concentration. HVR1 had a lower positive charge in subjects with persistent viremia, although no consistent motifs were detected. Our data suggest that HCV persistence is associated with a complex quasispecies and immune response to HVR1.

A novel factor produced by placental cells with activity against HIV-1.

The factors controlling the dynamics of HIV-1 transmission from mother to infant are not clearly known. Previous studies have suggested the existence of maternal and placental protective mechanisms that inhibit viral replication in utero. Preliminary studies from our laboratory revealed that supernatant from placental stromal cells protected HIV-1-infected PBMC from virus-induced apoptosis and suppressed virus production. We have attempted to characterize the antiviral activity of this placental factor (PF) and delineate the stages of HIV-1 replication affected. This activity was not due to the presence of any known cytokine reported to have anti-HIV effect. Direct exposure to PF had no suppressive effect on the infectivity of cell-free HIV-1, and envelope-mediated membrane fusion appeared to be unaffected. Western blot analysis of HIV-1 from infected PBMC treated with PF revealed that expression of all viral proteins was reduced proportionately, both intracellularly and in released virions. However, exposure of HIV-1-infected cells to PF resulted in production of virions with 10-100-fold-reduced infectivity. PF-treated virions contained two- to threefold reduced ratios of cyclophilin A:Gag protein as compared with untreated virus. Reduced cyclophilin A content resulting in decreased binding of cyclophilin A to Gag could account, in part, for the observed reduction in infectivity. Our results suggest that placental cells produce an antiviral factor that protects the fetus during gestation and may have therapeutic potential.

Assessment of hepatitis C virus sequence complexity by electrophoretic mobilities of both single-and double-stranded DNAs.

To assess genetic variation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) sequences accurately, we optimized a method for identifying distinct viral clones without determining the nucleotide sequence of each clone. Twelve serum samples were obtained from seven individuals soon after they acquired HCV during a prospective study, and a 452-bp fragment from the E2 region was amplified by reverse transcriptase PCR and cloned. Thirty-three cloned cDNAs representing each specimen were assessed by a method that combined heteroduplex analysis (HDA) and a single-stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) method to determine the number of clonotypes (electrophoretically indistinguishable cloned cDNAs) as a measure of genetic complexity (this combined method is referred to herein as the HDA+SSCP method). We calculated Shannon entropy, incorporating the number and distribution of clonotypes into a single quantifier of complexity. These measures were evaluated for their correlation with nucleotide sequence diversity. Blinded analysis revealed that the sensitivity (ability to detect variants) and specificity (avoidance of false detection) of the HDA+SSCP method were very high. The genetic distance (mean +/- standard deviation) between indistinguishable cloned cDNAs (intraclonotype diversity) was 0.6% +/- 0.9%, and 98.7% of cDNAs differed by <2%, while the mean distance between cloned cDNAs with different patterns was 4.0% +/- 3.2%. The sensitivity of the HDA+SSCP method compared favorably with either HDA or the SSCP method alone, which resulted in intraclonotype diversities of 1.6% +/- 1.8% and 3.5% +/- 3.4%, respectively. The number of clonotypes correlated strongly with genetic diversity (R2, 0.93), but this correlation fell off sharply when fewer clones were assessed. This HDA+SSCP method accurately reflected nucleotide sequence diversity among a large number of viral cDNA clones, which should enhance analyses to determine the effects of viral diversity on HCV-associated disease. If sequence diversity becomes recognized as an important parameter for staging or monitoring of HCV infection, this method should be practical enough for use in laboratories that perform nucleic acid testing.

Extensive evaluation of a seronegative participant in an HIV-1 vaccine trial as a result of false-positive PCR.

BACKGROUND: In the USA, more than 2000 volunteers have received one or more experimental HIV-1 vaccines in phase I and II clinical trials, and there have been breakthrough HIV-1 infections among participants receiving vaccine and placebo. Serological diagnosis of new HIV-1 infections in vaccine-trial participants will become increasingly complicated as more viral components are used in vaccines. Recognition of this problem has led to a reliance on viral-genome measurement to distinguish vaccine-induced immunity from HIV-1 infection. Currently, quantitative RNA measurement is expensive, prone to contamination, and reliable only in laboratories certified by manufacturers or that have quality-control programmes. METHODS: A high-risk vaccinee presented after an acute febrile episode and was tested for HIV-1 infection by reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR of viral RNA. Further extensive tests were required to clarify the HIV-1 infection and immune status of the vaccinee, including repeat RT-PCR, nested DNA PCR, western blot, lymphoproliferation assay, cytotoxic T-cell lysis, CD8-depleted co-culture, and HIV-1 challenge culture. FINDINGS: Initial testing of plasma by RNA RT-PCR was reported as positive. This result was not confirmed by viral cultures, nested DNA PCR, western blot, or EIA. Additional RNA RT-PCR assays gave positive results from earlier occasions in the vaccine trial. Eventually, testing of all previously reactive samples by RNA RT-PCR was repeated in a quality-controlled laboratory, and confirmed the negative HIV-1 status of the individual. INTERPRETATION: This case report exemplifies the difficulties with use of viral-genome measurement as a screening test to diagnose HIV-1 infection, particularly in individuals who have ever participated in HIV-1 vaccine trials. Monitoring of large numbers of phase III vaccinees by RNA RT-PCR will not be feasible. The design of efficacy trials for new vaccines should be in parallel with development of antibody-based diagnostic tests that are capable of differentiating between immunisation and true HIV-1 infection.

Predominance of defective proviral sequences in an HIV + long-term non-progressor.

We examined the accessory genes and envelope V3 region of provirus obtained over a 5 year period from an HIV+ long-term non-progressor with very low viral load and no in vitro recoverable virus during that same time span. LTR sequences supported normal Tat-mediated promoter activity. Multiple clones of nef sequences were highly conserved with < 10% containing frame shift or stop codon mutations. Functional analysis of the predominant nef sequence indicated wild type downregulation of surface CD4 and good function in a complementation infectivity assay. By contrast, inactivating mutations were found in 64% of amplicons containing vif, vpr, vpu, tat1, and rev1, and in 41% of amplicons containing env V3. Identical inactive sequences were obtained at an interval of 2 years, suggesting persistence of quiescent defective provirus in a long-lived clonal cell population. Furthermore, genetic distance versus time analysis revealed an absence of progressive evolution or arborization of quasispecies over time. This contrasts with data generated from other asymptomatic HIV+ individuals. The non-progressive pattern of env sequence diversity and low R2 for genetic divergence over time suggests that the defective provirus circulating in the periphery of this patient represents a randomly sampled 'fossil record' of earlier replication competent HIV-1 genomes.