Evaluation of a new HTLV-I/II polymerase chain reaction

Vox Sang. 1997;72(3):144-7. doi: 10.1046/j.1423-0410.1997.7230144.x.

Abstract

Aim: Evaluation of a qualitative HTLV-I/II DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of HTLV-I/II DNA (Roche Diagnostic Systems, Branchburg, N.J., USA) in various panels.

Methods: The panels consisted of fresh EDTA blood samples from blood donors who were anti-HTLV-I/II ELISA repeatably reactive: 53 were Western blot (WB) positive, 228 were WB indeterminate and 15 were WB negative. Elevent ELISA-negative blood donors were used as negative controls. Furthermore, specimens from 1 HTLV-II-infected intravenous drug user and from 1 HTLV-II-infected blood donor were included in the panel. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were prepared by red blood cell lysis with the Roche washing solution and stored at < -23 degrees C until processing. Amplification products were analyzed with the HTLV-I/II detection kit.

Results: All 53 anti-HTLV-I/II ELISA- and WB-positive samples and both HTLV-II-positive samples tested positively by PCR. All 228 anti-HTLV-I/II ELISA-positive and WB-indeterminate, all 15 ELISA-positive and WB-negative and all II ELISA-negative control samples tested negative by PCR.

Conclusion: The Roche Amplicor HTLV-I/II test is a simple test, suitable for the confirmation of HTLV-I and-II infection in individuals with indeterminate or positive WB patterns.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Donors
  • Blotting, Western
  • DNA, Viral / analysis*
  • HTLV-I Infections / diagnosis*
  • HTLV-II Infections / diagnosis*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / genetics
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic / standards*

Substances

  • DNA, Viral
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic