PRIMERS, PROBES AND METHODS FOR SENSITIVE, SPECIFIC DETECTION AND MONITORING OF HIV-1 AND HCV

摘要

Primers and probes for detecting an RNA virus, including HIV, HIV-1 subtypes of the M and O groups, and HCV, in a sample. The primers and probes can be used for monitoring the efficacy of anti-retroviral treatment in a subject infected with HIV and/or HCV, and for detecting acute HIV-1 infection, and/or acute HCV infection, in a subject. Included are inner, middle and outer primers that can be used in PCR, including triple nested PCR in a single tube. The methods are highly sensitive and specific, allowing for detection of as few as 4 copies of virus in a sample.