The association between XMRV and mouse DNA in this study is imperfect whereas in a contaminant scenario it would not be

Gerwyn Morris (21 January 2011) PA institute:

This article presents a methodological critique of the study carried out by Robinson et al (1). In essence this article submits that the work in question departs so profoundly from the work of other research groups that the results must be treated with caution. In particular these results are at best open to interpretation and at worst may be the product of experimentally induced artifacts.

Initially the results of the study by Robinson et al appear unremarkable. The detection rate by PCR is in line with that reported by Danielson et al but some 400% lower than that achieved by IHC using XMRV specific probes (2, 3).

This of course means that any conclusion made by PCR alone regarding the association of XMRV and mouse DNA is profoundly unsafe.

One must also point out that Robinson et al did not find higher rates of XMRV infection in cancerous versus non cancerous sequences which is a serious departure from the results of other workers.

In fact it is such a notable departure that an explanation is needed.

The association between XMRV and mouse DNA in this study is imperfect whereas in a contaminant scenario it would not be. Read more>>