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Detection of HIV-1 subtype G using Cobas Ampliscreen test
Fernando M Araújo1, Isabel S Henriques, Fátima P Monteiro
1Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Bank, Molecular Biology Center, Serv. Imuno-hemoterapia/Hospital S. João, Hospital S. João, 4200 Porto, Portugal. araujo@hsjoao.min-saude.pt
Summary
A new nucleic acid amplification test effectively detects human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in plasma pools. The test shows high sensitivity for various HIV-1 subtypes, crucial for screening in regions like Portugal.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Screening human plasma for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) RNA is critical for blood safety.
- Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are sensitive methods for viral detection.
- The prevalence of specific HIV-1 subtypes, such as G and its circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), varies geographically and impacts diagnostic test performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and analytical sensitivity of a novel NAAT for HIV-1 RNA detection in pooled human plasma.
- To assess the test's performance across different HIV-1 group M subtypes, with a focus on subtypes relevant to Portugal.
Main Methods:
- Design and implementation of a NAAT for HIV-1 RNA detection.
- Testing of pooled human plasma samples.
- Analysis of test sensitivity across various HIV-1 subtypes, including subtype G and its CRFs.
Main Results:
- The NAAT demonstrated effectiveness in detecting HIV-1 RNA in pooled plasma.
- The test achieved analytical sensitivity comparable to the B subtype for most group M subtypes tested.
- Limited data were available for subtype G and its CRFs, which are prevalent in Portugal.
Conclusions:
- The developed NAAT is a viable tool for screening HIV-1 RNA in pooled human plasma.
- The test exhibits broad sensitivity across common HIV-1 subtypes.
- Further validation with geographically relevant subtypes, particularly subtype G and its CRFs, is recommended for comprehensive performance assessment in specific regions like Portugal.