Analysis of XMRV integration sites

Full Title: Analysis of XMRV integration sites from human prostate cancer tissues suggests PCR contamination rather than genuine human infection

Authors: Jeremy A Garson , Paul Kellam and Greg J Towers

Publication: Retrovirology

Publication Date: 25 February 2011

Abstract

XMRV is a gammaretrovirus associated in some studies with human prostate cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome. Central to the hypothesis of XMRV as a human pathogen is the description of integration sites in DNA from prostate tumour tissues. Here we demonstrate that 2 of 14 patient-derived sites are identical to sites cloned in the same laboratory from experimentally infected DU145 cells. Identical integration sites have never previously been described in any retrovirus infection. We propose that the patient-derived sites are the result of PCR contamination. This observation further undermines the notion that XMRV is a genuine human pathogen.

View the 'Analysis of XMRV integration sites from human prostate cancer tissues suggests PCR contamination rather than genuine human infection' abstract on the Retrovirology website.

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