Determination of serum DNA purity among patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy using NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometer and polymerase chain reaction

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to determine the effects of antiretrovirals on host DNA purity and to qualitatively quantify the DNA primers quality using NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometer and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Serum samples from 50 HIV/AIDS-positive patients who were undergoing antiretroviral therapy were collected at the point of their routine CD4 level checkup. The samples subjected to initial purifications and subsequent qualitative quantification using the NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometer and PCR analysis. Results: The purity of the DNA from the subject was determined by the NanoDrop-1000 spectrophotometer, and the adequate yield from 1.13 (lowest) to 149 ng/μl (highest) was obtained across the 50 subjects at 260 and 280 nm. The ratio of the absorbance was compared. Thus, DNA products were obtained with high purity, and PCR showed that all patients had the right gene to code for the respective drug-metabolizing enzyme. The NanoDrop-1000 technique and PCR analysis proved to be beneficial in the measurement of both quantity and purity of DNA in the samples. Conclusion: This technique does not only designs better experiments but also ensures improved reporting and significant time- and energy-saving qualitative analysis of DNA and related molecules.