Sensitive, Subtype Independent HIV-1 PCR Assays for Assessment of Residual Viremia and Total HIV-1 DNA

Abstract

Correct measurements of residual viremia and reservoir size are crucial in HIV-1 eradication trials and there is a need for sensitive and automated assays. The increasing worldwide diversity of HIV-1 subtypes stresses the importance of subtype independent assays.We added an ultra-centrifugation step to the COBAS AmpliPrep/COBAS TaqMan HIV-1 test, version 2.0 and evaluated assay sensitivity. A previously published method for quantification of total HIV-1 DNA was also evaluated.