Detection of human immunodeficiency virus DNA in cultured human glial cells by means of the polymerase chain reaction.

This report describes the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of viral genomic sequences in latently infected cells. Infection with human immunodeficiency virus in cultures of human glial cells was demonstrated, using nucleic acid amplification followed by dot blot hybridization. It was not possible to detect any viral antigen production in the cultures, and attempts to recover virus by highly sensitive coculture techniques were unsuccessful, indicating that the infection was latent. The PCR technique provides a simple approach to the study of viral infection in cases where viral replication is absent, or where genomic copies are present at such low numbers that they are otherwise undetectable.