POSSIBILITY OF DETECTING HIV-1 IN BONE SPECIMENS BY A PCR IN A MICROTITER-PLATE ASSAY FOR HIV-1

It is known that HIV can be transmitted by allogenous bone transplantation. Hitherto neither chemical nor physical methods have existed to allow reliable disinfection and sterilization of bone specimens without reducting osteogenetic potency. Only demonstration or exclusion of the presence of HIV-1 in a bone specimen guarantees that infection will not occur. The method now presented for HIV detection is based on a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This HIV microtiter-plate assay combines amplification of DNA molecules with a staining reaction. In cultures containing HIV-infected cells definite detection of viruses was possible when 50-100 cells per specimen were infected. Examination of 137 HIV-negative and 25 HIV-positive bone specimens showed sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 97.8% for the test. In subsequent studies, after drying on filter paper viral DNA was again demonstrable by the PCR. This means safe handling and uncomplicated transportation of non-infectious specimens to a central analysis laboratory are possible. This HIV test offers the possibility of quick and safe demonstration that specimens are free of HIV and is therefore likely to enhance the safety of bone transplantation considerably.