Effect of HIV-1 Infection on Human DNA Yield from Saliva

Abstract

Purpose: Saliva is a good source of DNA for genomic research, and leukocytes are a predominant source of DNA in human saliva. Advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-type 1 infection disrupts tonsillar architecture and depletes tonsillar lymphocytes. We tested whether HIV-1 infection reduces extracted human DNA yield from saliva. Methods: Approximately 2 mL of expectorated saliva was collected from HIV-infected adults during routine primary care clinic visits and from healthy, HIV-negative controls. Human DNA was manually extracted and was specifically quantified by assaying for the RNAse P gene. Results: Seventy-five individuals were studied, including 25 HIV-infected adults with <200 CD4+ T cells/mm³ (i.e., acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), 25 with >200 CD4+ T cells/mm³, and 25 HIV-negative controls. Overall DNA yield was 64.7 μg [29.0–139.7 μg] (median [interquartile range]). Yields were comparable among HIV-infected individuals with lower CD4+ T cell counts (74.3 μg [39.4–151.4 μg]), higher CD4+ T cell counts (63.9 μg [29.2–172.1 μg]), and HIV-negative controls (61.4 μg [28.4–123.4 μg]) (p > .05). Conclusion: Infection with HIV-1 does not reduce human DNA yield from saliva. Expectorated saliva should provide sufficient extracted native DNA for genomic studies in HIV-infected individuals.

Keywords:

• AIDS
• DNA
• HIV-1
• repository
• saliva