Oligonucleotide Ligation Assay for Detecting Mutations in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 <i>pol</i> Gene That Are Associated with Resistance to Zidovudine, Didanosine, and Lamivudine

ABSTRACT This report describes the detection of mutations in the pol gene of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 associated with resistance to zidovudine, didanosine, and lamivudine by genotyping by an oligonucleotide ligation assay specific codons in the pol gene amplified by PCR. Our studies demonstrate the sensitivity, simplicity, and specificity of this genotyping system. </jats:p

Genetic Evaluation of Suspected Cases of Transient HIV-1 Infection of Infants

Detection of human immunodeficiency virus–type 1 (HIV-1) on only one or a few occasions in infants born to infected mothers has been interpreted to indicate that infection may be transient rather than persistent. Forty-two cases of suspected transient HIV-1 viremia among 1562 perinatally exposed seroreverting infants and one mother were reanalyzed. HIV-1 env sequences were not found in specimens from 20; in specimens from 6, somatic genetic analysis revealed that specimens were mistakenly attributed to an infant; and in specimens from 17, phylogenetic analysis failed to demonstrate the expected linkage between the infant's and the mother's virus. These findings argue that transient HIV-1 infection, if it exists, will only rarely be satisfactorily documented. </jats:p