Substitution Of A Commercially Available, Rna Extraction Procedure In An Hiv-1 Genotyping System Improves Sensitivity And Allows Reduced Sample Volume

The use is described of a commercially available, silica-based extraction procedure for HIV-1 RNA that can be substituted for the extraction procedure supplied with a commercially available, PCR-based genotyping kit for HIV-1. The advantages of using this alternative. commercially available extraction procedure include the following: (1) reduced safety concerns, due to inactivation of virus in the initial step of the extraction procedure: (2) enhanced sensitivity, allowing the use of plasma with HIV-I RNA levels of less than 2000 copies/ml; (3) improved yield, allowing a 60% reduction in plasma volume: and (4) convenience and improved reproducibility. with a single extraction providing RNA suitable for PCR-based sequencing and for quantitation of HIV-1 RNA levels. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.