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Human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 subtypes circulating in Sspain
A Holguín1, B Rodés, U Dietrich
1Service of Infectious Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Medical Virology
|August 25, 1999
Summary
This study investigated Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) genetic subtypes in Spain between 1993-1998. Non-B HIV-1 subtypes were found predominantly in immigrants, indicating diverse viral strains circulating within the population.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) exhibits significant genetic diversity.
- Understanding the circulation of different HIV-1 subtypes is crucial for public health strategies.
- Previous studies in Spain primarily focused on the B subtype.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the genetic subtypes of HIV-1 in Spain from 1993 to 1998.
- To determine the prevalence of non-B HIV-1 subtypes in the Spanish HIV-1-infected population.
- To investigate the association between HIV-1 subtypes and immigrant status.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of proviral DNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and viral RNA from plasma.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by endonuclease restriction analysis.
- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) on the HIV-1 protease region, confirmed by direct sequencing and serological assays.
Main Results:
- Out of 101 individuals, 37.6% carried non-B HIV-1 subtypes (A, C, D, E, F).
- Non-B subtypes were predominantly identified in immigrants (81.6% of non-B cases).
- Subtype A was the most prevalent non-B subtype, accounting for 26 cases.
Conclusions:
- Diverse HIV-1 subtypes are circulating in Spain.
- Non-B HIV-1 subtypes are largely confined to immigrant populations in Spain.
- This highlights the importance of considering viral genetic diversity in HIV surveillance and treatment approaches.