From: Distribution and fate of HIV-1 unintegrated DNA species: a comprehensive update
Analytes | Assays | Advantages | Problems | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Resting CD4+ T cells | PCR | Considered as ‘gold-standard’ for measuring latently infected cells | Low accuracy, slow, costly | |
Total DNA | qPCR | Integrated and unintegrated HIV-DNA per million in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or CD4+Â T cells | Unknown | [80] |
Total HIV-DNA and 2-LTR circles | Droplet digital PCR | More sensitive and precise comparing to real time pol PCR | Short life span of 2-LTR; low accuracy | [80] |
Provirus | Alu–gag PCR and qPCR | Conventional method to detect integrated proviruses. | Nonspecific, low accuracy | [80] |
Intracellular HIV-RNA | PCR | Detection of 1 copy per million resting CD4+Â T cells | Unknown | [80] |
Viral RNA | HIV-RNA single copy assay (SCA) | Ultrasensitive method to quantify HIV-RNA in plasma | Unknown | [80] |