Identification and genomic sequence of an HIV type 1 group N isolate from Cameroon

HIV-infected plasma specimens, collected in Cameroon between 1999 and 2002, were screened for HIV-1 group N and SIVcpz infections using a serological screening algorithm based on immunoassays with antigens derived from HIV-1 group M, N, and O, and SIVcpz strains. Specimens with reactivity to group N and SIVcpz antigens were characterized by RT-PCR and sequence analysis to identify the infecting virus. Although several specimens were serotyped as potential group N or SIVcpz infections, only one group N infection was confirmed. The specimen, 02CM-DJO0131, was collected in 2002 from a hospital patient at the D'Joungolo Hospital, Yaoundé. The virus genome was amplified as seven overlapping fragments comprising 8938 nucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis shows that 02CM-DJO0131 branches with group N sequences. With this study, three near full-length sequences are now available for group N. While we confirm the presence of group N in the Cameroonian population, group N infections continue to be rare and difficult to identify.