TABLE 1.

Versant HIV-1 RNA 3.0 Assay (bDNA) results and GART specimen handling for 20 original versus diluted clinical samples^a

Sample	Originalb copies/ml	Dilutedc,d copies/ml
1	14,656	163
2	9,350	183
3	10,874	139
4	4,278	254
5	28,603	244
6	8,322	136
7	4,709	126
8	64,558	136
9	345,560	124
10	1,032	177
11	118,970	209
12	13,210	152
13	33,931	116
14	19,354	127
15	6,819	112
16	95,475	143
17	8,361	90
18	58,402	101
19	1,127	<75
20	44,555	136

^aGART was performed by using QiaAmp viral RNA minikit extraction followed by TruGene HIV-1 genotyping kit PCR amplification. Three TruGene-certified technologists processed and analyzed specimens.

^bViral-load determinations were performed with two kit lots in 10 runs; GART was performed with two TruGene kit lots in 6 runs.

^cViral-load determinations were performed with one kit lot in three runs; GART was performed with one TruGene kit lot in seven runs.

^dDilution Matrix (DM) was used as diluent for samples 1 to 14, but amplification failed in 2, 5, 12, 13, and 14. The diluent was switched to HIV-negative plasma, and samples 5, 15, 16, and 18 were amplified but not 17, 19, and 20. Viral dilutions of sample 2 in DM and samples 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, and 20 in HIV-negative plasma were concentrated by centrifugation before extraction. Amplification was then successful.