Estimation of HIV-1 DNA level interfering with reliability of HIV-1 RNA quantification performed on dried blood spots collected from successfully treated patients

Abstract

The impact of HIV-1 DNA coamplification during HIV-1 RNA quantification on dried blood spots (DBS) was explored. Falsepositive HIV RNA detection (22/62, 35%) was associated with high HIV-1 DNA levels. Specificity of HIV-1 RNA assays on DBS should be evaluated following manufacturer protocols on samples with HIV-1 DNA levels of >1,000 copies/106 peripheral blood mononuclear cells.