Publications (2)5.92 Total impact
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Article: Impact of extensive HIV-1 variability on molecular diagnosis in the Congo basin.
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ABSTRACT: Previous studies have shown a high HIV-1 genetic variability in the Republic of Congo. This can greatly influence the performance of molecular assays for HIV-1 diagnosis. To define a reliable test for detection of HIV-1 DNA in this area. We compared a commercial nested PCR (C-PCR) assay and an in house nested PCR (H-PCR) assay for the detection of HIV-1 DNA in the first 30 seropositive pregnant women enrolled into the ongoing "Kento-Mwana" project, for the prevention of HIV mother-to-child transmission in the city of Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo, Africa. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of partial HIV-1 pol sequences were also performed. C-PCR detected HIV-1 DNA in only 15/30 samples from seropositive women (50.0%), as opposed to 29/30 (96.6%) by H-PCR (P<0.0001). Phylogenetic analysis and bootscanning showed that only 10 sequences could be assigned to known clades (seven pure subtypes and three circulating recombinant forms), whereas the other 20 sequences were unique recombinant forms. The great genetic variability of HIV-1 in this area strongly advises to for using molecular methods only after local validation to avoid false negative results.Journal of clinical virology: the official publication of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology 02/2010; 47(4):372-5. · 3.12 Impact Factor -
Article: HIV serological screening in a population of pregnant women in the Republic of Congo: suitability of different assays.
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ABSTRACT: Different strategies can be applied for the screening of HIV infection, depending on the local seroprevalence. Within a WHO type III strategy, we compared the results of two different second-line methods for HIV screening of a population of pregnant women in the Republic of Congo. Sera from 3614 consecutive pregnant women were tested for HIV with Genescreen Plus Ag/Ab EIA assay; positive specimens were retested with two different second-line methods. (Determine HIV-1/2 rapid test and Vironostika HIV Ag/Ab specific EIA assay). Discordant samples were tested with HIV-1/2 Western Blot and, if necessary, HIV RNA molecular assay. Of the 3614 sera, 221 were positive with Genscreen. Among them, 21 and 10 tested negative with Vironostika and Determine, respectively. A 100% correspondence with 3rd line confirmation test results was found in Genscreen positive/Vironostika negative samples, whereas a 5.5% overestimation of HIV seroprevalence was observed when Determine, instead of Vironostika, was used as second-line test. The choice of appropriate assays in adequate sequence, within the correct WHO strategy, is pivotal to minimize the risk of overtreatment of HIV infection.Tropical Medicine & International Health 08/2008; 13(7):900-3. · 2.80 Impact Factor
