Elevation of viral load by PCR and use of plasma preparation tubes for quantification of human immunodeficiency virus type 1

HIV-1 viral load testing from 51 patients was compared in plasma samples simultaneously processed and stored in primary Vacutainer plasma preparation tubes (PPTs) and PPT sample aliquots transferred in secondary tubes before freezing, using RT-PCR quantification with an ultrasensitive method (the Roche AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR®). We concluded that freezing the primary sample in the PPT collection tube can artificially elevate the HIV-1 viral load. We therefore store samples as frozen aliquots in a second tube.