Complete nucleotide sequence of an African human T-lymphotropic virus type II subtype b isolate (HTLV-II-Gab): molecular and phylogenetic analysis.

We report the first complete nucleotide sequence of an African human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II. This new strain, called HTLV-II-Gab (Gab), was obtained from the uncultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a 44-year-old healthy Gabonese male who lived in a remote rural area, with neither history of blood transfusion nor sexual intercourse with non-Africans. Using nested PCR, 25 overlapping fragments, representing the entire proviral genome, were obtained, cloned and sequenced.

Fluorometric detection of HIV-1 genome through use of an internal control, inosine-substituted primers, and microtiter plate format.

We describe a PCR-based fluorometric assay for the detection of the HIV-1 genome. This technique consists of a reverse hybridization with oligonucleotide probes covalently coated onto a microtiter plate as a solid support. Several improvements to the PCR amplification and detection steps gave greater sensitivity and specificity for HIV-1 screening and resulted in a convenient and rapid technique.

A natural antisense RNA derived from the HIV-1 env gene encodes a protein which is recognized by circulating antibodies of HIV+ individuals.

A naturally occurring antisense RNA, transcribed in the opposite direction and complementary to the envelope transcript, was identified in various cell lines chronically infected with HIV-1. In T cells, the antisense transcript is constitutively expressed and enhanced by activation with phorbol myristate acetate. The open reading frame corresponding to the antisense transcript, when expressed in vitro, encodes a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 19 kDa.

[Are desquamated trophoblastic cells retrieved from the cervix suitable for a prenatal diagnosis?].

Prenatal diagnosis based on sampling of fetal tissues, amniotic fluid or chorionic villi is associated with the risk of miscarriage and fetal damage. These risks would be avoided if diagnosis could be performed in desquamated trophoblast cells recovered non-invasively from the maternal cervix. We report on our experience of fetal karyotyping on endocervical lavage using in situ hybridization (FISH) and DNA amplification (PCR) fetal sex was correctly predicted in 8/10 cases by FISH and in 6/10 by PCR.