Screening potential corneal donors for HIV-1 by polymerase chain reaction and a colorimetric microwell hybridization assay

PURPOSE: Current screening of potential corneal donors for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) involves serologic detection of antibodies to the virus. However, this approach cannot detect infection during the seronegative window period of the disease. We therefore evaluated the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for viral nucleic acid as a possible alternative to screening cadaveric blood for HIV-1. METHODS: Blood specimens from cadavers diagnosed at autopsy with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (n = 21), at high risk for HIV-1 infection (n = 47), and at no known risk (n = 350) were screened by PCR for HIV-1 proviral DNA and human leukocyte antigen(HLA)-DQ alpha sequences, and for HIV antibodies. RESULTS: All AIDS group samples were sero positive; of these, 18 (86%) and 20 (95%) of 21 were positive for HIV by PCR of proteinase K- and Chelex-extracted pellets, respectively. The sero positive samples negative by PCR resting were shown to inhibit PCR amplification, Nine (19%) of 47 high risk specimens were HIV positive. The no-known risk group yielded negative results. The overall sensitivities for PCR in the proteinase K- and Chelex-treated groups were 90% and 97%, respectively, compared with Western blot reactivity. If PCR inhibitory samples and HLA-DQ alpha-negative samples had been eliminated, sensitivity would have been 100%. Specificity was 100% for each group. CONCLUSIONS: Screening cadaveric blood by PCR may be feasible, but further refinement of the assay and blood specimen collection practices will be necessary for it to become routine. Future studies should focus on optimizing specimen procurement and preparation to reduce or eliminate specimens that inhibit PCR.