Related Experiment Videos
A new human immunodeficiency virus type 1 circulating recombinant form from Tanzania
I N Koulinska1, T Ndung'u, D Mwakagile
1Harvard AIDS Institute and Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
|April 3, 2001
Summary
Researchers identified a new HIV-1 circulating recombinant form, CRF10_CD, in Tanzania. This subtype C and D mosaic virus may have epidemic potential, requiring further study.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) are emerging globally.
- Mosaic HIV-1 strains frequently arise in populations with co-circulating subtypes.
- Identifying and studying epidemic-prone CRFs is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To sequence and characterize novel HIV-1 subtype C and D recombinant viruses.
- To determine the phylogenetic placement and potential epidemic spread of these recombinant strains.
Main Methods:
- Nucleotide sequencing of three HIV-1 subtype C/D recombinant viruses from perinatally infected infants in Tanzania.
- Phylogenetic analysis of full-length genomic sequences.
- Identification of recombination breakpoint locations.
Main Results:
- The complete nucleotide sequences of three HIV-1 viruses with a D(gag)-D/C/D(env) structure were determined.
- All three viruses shared similar recombination breakpoint locations.
- Phylogenetic analysis revealed a distinct subcluster within the HIV-1 subtype D branch, designated CRF10_CD.
- Subtype C sequences were identified in specific genomic regions, including pol, vif, vpr, vpu, rev, tat, V3, and LTR.
Conclusions:
- A new HIV-1 circulating recombinant form, CRF10_CD, has been identified in Tanzania.
- The recombination pattern suggests either frequent independent events or an older single origin.
- Further surveillance is necessary to assess the epidemic potential of CRF10_CD.