HIV PCR test for nonhuman primates

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types 1 and 2

Test codes:
S0178 - Ultrasensitive detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proviral DNA by real time PCR
S0179 - Ultrasensitive detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) proviral DNA by real time PCR
P0004 - Qualitative screen for SIV/HIV-2/HIV-1 by real time polymerase chain reaction - detects but does not differentiate SIVsmm, SIVmac, SIVagm, SIVmnd, SIVsyk, SIVcpz, SIVhu, and HIV-1 subtypes A, B, D, F, H and N, and HIV-2 (A and B subtypes). However, assay does not detect HIV-1 subtype C.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that is a member of the family Retroviridae. Infection with this virus causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) when it infects vital cells in the human immune system, such as helper T cells (specifically CD4+ T cells), macrophages, and dendritic cells, leading to the death of these cells. When CD4+ T cell level declines below a critical level, cell-mediated immunity is lost, and the body becomes progressively more susceptible to opportunistic infections.

There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both types are transmitted by sexual contact, through blood, and from mother to child. The clinical presentations of the two types are almost indistinguishable. However, it appears that HIV-2 is less easily transmitted, and the period between initial infection and illness is longer in the case of HIV-2. HIV-1 is the predominant type of HIV in the world whereas HIV-2 is restricted mostly to west Africa and is rarely found elsewhere.

Because retroviruses are RNA viruses and can easily mutate, there are many reported strains of HIV. Strains of HIV-1 can be classified into three groups: the "major" group M, the "outlier" group O and the "new" group N. These three groups may represent three separate introductions of simian immunodeficiency virus into humans.

Group O appears to be restricted to west-central Africa; group N was discovered in 1998 in Cameroon and is extremely rare. More than 90% of HIV-1 infections belong to HIV-1 group M. Within group M there are at least nine genetically distinct subtypes (or clades). These are subtypes A, B, C, D, F, G, H, J and K.

Molecular detection of HIV proviral DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitivity and specific, and is often used as an end-point indicator of treatment success.

Utilities:

• Help confirm the disease causing agent in susceptible animals
• Early prevention of spread of these viruses among a group of animals
• Minimize human exposure to these viruses
• Safety monitoring of biological products and vaccines that derive from susceptible animals

Specimen requirements: 0.2 ml whole blood in EDTA (purple top) tube, or 0.2 ml cerebrospinal fluid, or 0.2 ml fresh or frozen tissue.

Contact Zoologix if advice is needed to determine an appropriate specimen type for a specific diagnostic application. For specimen types not listed here, please contact Zoologix to confirm specimen acceptability and shipping instructions.
For all specimen types, if there will be a delay in shipping, or during very warm weather, refrigerate specimens until shipped and ship with a cold pack unless more stringent shipping requirements are specified. Frozen specimens should be shipped so as to remain frozen in transit. See shipping instructions for more information.

Turnaround time: 2 business days

Methodology: Qualitative real time PCR

Normal range: Nondetected