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Table 2 Different assays used to measure different analytes

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

[28, 80]

Total DNA

qPCR

Integrated and unintegrated HIV-DNA per million in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or CD4+ 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+ T cells

Unknown

[80]

Viral RNA

HIV-RNA single copy assay (SCA)

Ultrasensitive method to quantify HIV-RNA in plasma

Unknown

[80]