Evaluation of dried blood spot specimens for HIV-1 drug-resistance testing using the Trugene HIV-1 genotyping assay.

Background: Efforts to simplify the collection and shipping of specimens for HIV drug-resistance testing in resource-limited settings are needed as antiretroviral therapy increases worldwide.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and practicality of using dried blood spots (DBS) for HIV-1 drug-resistance testing with the Trugene HIV-1 genotyping assay.

Study Design: Nucleic acids from 33 DBS and counterpart plasma specimens were extracted using the Nuclisens MiniMAG system and genotyped using the Trugene HIV-1 genotyping assay.

Prevalence of drug-resistance mutations and non-subtype B strains among HIV-infected infants from New York State.

Prevalence studies indicate that transmission of drug-resistant HIV has been rising in the adult population, but data from the perinatally infected pediatric population are limited. In this retrospective study, we sequenced the pol region of HIV from perinatally infected infants diagnosed in New York State in 2001-2002. Analyses of drug resistance, subtype diversity, and perinatal antiretroviral exposure were conducted, and the results were compared with those from a previous study of HIV-infected infants identified in 1998-1999.

Reductions in hepatitis C virus and HIV infections among injecting drug users in New York City, 1990-2001.

Objective: To assess trends in HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV/HCV infection among injecting drug users (IDU) from 1990 to 2001 in New York City. The 1990-2001 time period included a very large expansion of syringe exchange in New York City, from 250,000 to 3,000,000 syringes exchanged annually.

Methods: Cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys of IDU entering drug abuse treatment in New York City, with sample sizes for HCV of 72 in 1990-1991 and 412 in 2000-2001.