DETECTION OF OPPORTUNISTIC DNA VIRAL INFECTIONS BY MULTIPLEX PCR AMONG HIV INFECTED INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING CARE AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Abstract

In our study, multiplex PCR based detection system was found useful in detecting opportunistic viruses in HIV infected individuals. Though EBV is the most prevalent opportunistic viral infection among HIV infected individuals, there was no significant association between EBV load, CD4+ T cell counts and HIV-1 virus load. CMV was seen in HIV infected individuals with low CD4+ T cell counts (less than 200 cells/microL).