Application of Sensitive Reverse Transcriptase Assay to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Type 2

Abstract

Sensitive reverse transcriptase assay was applied to human immunodeficiency virus type 2. The kinetics of this assay, stability of the enzyme and the effect of BSA to this assay indicated that the condition of this assay should be 37 degrees C in reaction temperature. The sensitivity of this assay increased by adding more than 10 micrograms/ml of BSA. The sensitivity of this assay is at least four times more than that of CPE assay using Molt-4 cell. Other HIV-2 isolate, LAV-2 in culture medium was also detectable in this condition. Moreover reverse transcriptase inhibiting antibody that specifically inhibits HIV-2 reverse transcriptase was found by this assay.