Detection of retroviral infections: PCR vs RT-PCR

[Brad Chadwick]

Looking for some advice from anyone experienced in the relative 
sensitivities of detecting low-level lentiviral infections such as HIV or 
EIAV by standard PCR (essentially detecting provirus) compared to RT-PCR 
should detect provirus and genomic transcripts)? Does RT-PCR tend to pick up 
cases that standard PCR fails to detect from templates such as:
a)buffy coat
b)plasma or 
c)any other tissue, such as archival paraffin-embedded stuff

Any references to same? Much obliged.

Brad C.