[Application of SensiScript enzyme to a RT-PCR system for the obtention of RNA of HIV-1 starting serum samples stored at -20 degrees C during a decade].

The efficiency of SensiScript reverse transciptase to obtain useful genetic material in the sequencing of the nucleic acid from HIV-1, starting from sera collected between 1989 and 1998 and kept at suboptimal temperatures, was proved. On using the SensiScript enzyme it was obtained an amplification of the RNA of the HIV-1 in 86.5 % of the studied samples, compared with 20 % on using the AMV-RT enzyme .

[Application of the nucleotidic sequencing of VP1 to the identification of human Enterovirus].

The introduction of a mollecular method to identify the Entoviruses based on the amplification sequecing and phylogenetic analysis of protein VPI was described. It was proved that this method reduces significantly the time required for the identification of the isolated Entoviruses and that it is very useful in the characterization of isolates which are difficult to typify by the routine immunoloigical reagents. As it is a very fast technqiue, its use is very important during epidemics to determine the causal agent rapidly.

Poliovirus detection in wastewater and stools following an immunization campaign in Havana, Cuba.

Background: Recent outbreaks of poliomyelitis caused by vaccine-derived virus have raised concerns that vaccine-derived poliovirus may continue to circulate after eradication. In these outbreaks, the virus appears to have replicated for > or =2 years before detection. Early detection is critical for an effective response to these outbreaks.