Detection of type 1 human immunodefficiency virus through the PCR in newborns from seropositive mothers

The early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection is important for the opportune management of these patients. Objectives of this work were detection of proviral HIV-1 DNA through the PCR technique in newborns from HVI-1 seropositive mothers and determination of the possible vertical HIV-1 transmission factors in the population studied. 214 blood samples taken from children aged between 0 and 18 months referred to the INHRR during the September 2005-August 2006 period. All the samples were mixed with EDTA under sterile conditions. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated by an HISTOPAQUE gradient. Later, the proviral DNA was extracted through silica-gel columns (QIAGEN). The amplification of the genetic material of each sample was obtained through two PCR determinations in two stages, using initiators conserved from env and gag HIV-1 genes. Proviral HIV-1 DNA was found in 8% (17/214) of the samples of the child population evaluated, 82.4% of which showed elevated viral load levels (>5.0 log10). The usefulness of PCR as a molecular tool for the opportune diagnosis of perinatal HIV-1 infection is corroborated.