Identifying HIV-1 dual infections.
Antoinette C van der Kuyl1, Marion Cornelissen
1Laboratory of Experimental Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Centre for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Centre of the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. a.c.vanderkuyl@amc.uva.nl
Retrovirology
|September 26, 2007
Summary
Superinfections with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are increasingly detected, complicating vaccine development and potentially accelerating disease progression. These dual infections can also lead to the emergence of novel, drug-resistant HIV strains.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Coinfections and superinfections with RNA viruses can enhance viral fitness.
- Increasing detection of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) superinfections raises significant public health concerns.
- Superinfections may challenge the development of effective prophylactic HIV vaccines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on HIV-1 superinfection and coinfection.
- To discuss the clinical implications, immunological impact, and treatment effects of dual HIV infections.
- To detail methods for detecting dual HIV-1 infections and characterizing viral quasispecies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on viral superinfections and HIV-1 dual infections.
- Discussion of diagnostic techniques including serotyping, heteroduplex mobility assays (HMA), and viral load monitoring.
- Analysis of methods for characterizing patient viral quasispecies and identifying source partners.
Main Results:
- HIV-1 superinfections are detectable, even in individuals controlling the virus without antiretroviral therapy.
- Superinfections are associated with accelerated disease progression in some individuals.
- Dual infections can lead to the generation of recombinant HIV strains with potentially increased fitness and pathogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Dual HIV-1 infections, including superinfections and triple infections, are a growing concern.
- The emergence of recombinant viruses, potentially pan-resistant, poses a significant threat.
- Accurate detection and characterization of dual infections are crucial for understanding HIV pathogenesis and treatment.
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