Development, evaluation, and validation of an oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay to subtype human immunodeficiency virus type 1 circulating recombinant form CRF02_AG.
Njai, Harr F;
Van der Auwera, Gert;
Ngong, Chiambah A;
Heyndrickx, Leo;
Sawadago, Souleymane;
Whittle, Hilton;
Nyambi, Phillipe;
Colebunders, Robert;
van der Groen, Guido;
Janssens, Wouter;
(2004)
Development, evaluation, and validation of an oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay to subtype human immunodeficiency virus type 1 circulating recombinant form CRF02_AG.
Journal of clinical microbiology, 42 (4).
pp. 1428-1433.
ISSN 0095-1137
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.42.4.1428-1433.2004
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We have developed and validated an oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating recombinant form (CRF) CRF02_AG. In the p17 coding region of the gag gene, a CRF02_AG-specific signature pattern was observed. Five working probes were designed to discriminate CRF02_AG infections from infections by all other documented subtypes and CRFs in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay. Nucleic acids were extracted from a panel of HIV-1-positive plasma samples from Cameroon, Bénin, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Zambia, and Belgium and from blood spots from The Gambia. CRF02_AG (n = 147) and non-CRF02 (n = 100) samples were analyzed to evaluate and validate the oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay. The CRF02_AG-specific oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay has a high sensitivity and specificity, with good positive and negative predictive values in regions of high and low prevalence. A validation of the assay with West and West Central African samples indicated a sensitivity of 98.4% and a specificity of 96.7%. The oligonucleotide probe hybridization assay as a diagnostic tool will allow for rapid screening for CRF02_AG. This could be used to track the HIV epidemic in terms of documenting the real prevalence of CRF02_AG strains and will complement efforts in vaccine development. Moreover, this technology can easily be applied in laboratories in developing countries.