Dynamics of viremia in early hepatitis C virus infection.

Background: It is important to characterize viral dynamics in early hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection to further our understanding of viral pathogenesis and the potential for secondary transmission in acute infection through blood transfusion or other routes.

Study Design And Methods: Serial units given by 77 source plasma donors who had evolved from HCV RNA-negative to HCV RNA-positive by nucleic acid amplification technology (NAT) screening with 512-unit pool-NAT or were followed from RNA detection to antibody conversion were tested by individual NAT and quantitative RNA assays.

Results: During the ramp-up phase when exponential growth occurs, HCV viral load doubled every 10.

Intermittent low-level viremia in very early primary HIV-1 infection.

Serial samples from source plasma donors with confirmed new HIV infection were investigated for low-level viremia (LLV) (ie, < 100 genome copies [cp]/mL) at time points preceding the period of steadily rising viremia above 100 cp/mL (ramp-up viremia). Fifteen of 44 plasma donor panels previously studied for the dynamics of HIV viremia during primary infection contained 70 samples with undetectable HIV-1 RNA by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). On retesting with a sensitive qualitative reverse transcriptase PCR assay (95% detection at 4 cp/mL), we identified LLV in 13 of 15 panels and 23 of 69 retested samples.

Dynamics of HIV viremia and antibody seroconversion in plasma donors: implications for diagnosis and staging of primary HIV infection.

Objectives: The characterization of primary HIV infection by the analysis of serial plasma samples from newly infected persons using multiple standard viral assays.

Design: A retrospective study involving two sets of archived samples from HIV-infected plasma donors. (A) 435 samples from 51 donors detected by anti-HIV enzyme immunoassays donated during 1984-1994; (B) 145 specimens from 44 donors detected by p24 antigen screening donated during 1996-1998.

Technical considerations for the performance of Nucleic acid Amplification Technology (NAT). The NAT Task Force Group.

The complexity of Nucleic acid Amplification Technology (NAT(1)), comprising sample preparation, amplification and detection methods, requires specific design considerations for both the laboratory and the procedures utilized in such testing. The purpose of this paper is to establish technical considerations for the performance of NAT. These include the collection, handling and assay of specimens and the design of laboratories to routinely and reliably detect low levels of nucleic acid sequences.

A chromatographic method for the quantification of prostaglandin E(1) and prostaglandin A(1) encapsulated in an intravenous lipid formulation.

Peripheral vascular disease is a common ailment of the aged and diabetic communities. As the numbers of these individuals increase, the need for therapeutic interventions will continue to grow. One of the possible therapies is the use of prostaglandins (PGE(1), prostacyclin and Iloprost) to decrease the vascular tone and increase vascular blood flow.