Short communication: HIV type 1 tropism determination in a novel dried blood spot membrane and the use of a mixture of outer nested polymerase chain reaction primers.

Genotropism was determined in 608 Brazilian samples collected in dried blood spots using Polyethersulfone collection cards. Patients were infected by subtype B (88.8%), F (5.

The use of real-time PCR to detect hepatitis C virus RNA in dried blood spots from Brazilian patients infected chronically.

Collecting and transporting samples for RNA analysis can be challenging, especially in situations where financial resources are limited. In this study, a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) for the analysis of HCV RNA was developed and adapted for use with dried blood spot (DBS) samples. A qPCR for HCV 5'NCR, an internal control and a calibration curve were developed, and the sensitivity, specificity and dynamic range of amplification were evaluated using a panel of viruses.