Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Prediction of HIV-1 Coreceptor Usage (Tropism) by Sequence Analysis using a Genotypic Approach
07:06

Prediction of HIV-1 Coreceptor Usage (Tropism) by Sequence Analysis using a Genotypic Approach

Published on: December 1, 2011

Seventeen-year-old mother-to-child HIV type 1 transmission identified by phylogeny and signature patterns

Terese L Katzenstein1, Ann Berith Petersen, Louise Bruun Jørgensen

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. terese.katzenstein@rh.regionh.dk

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
|August 2, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Phylogenetic analysis of pol, gag, and env sequences confirmed perinatal HIV transmission in a 17-year-old woman. This case highlights the utility of viral sequencing in diagnosing late-presenting HIV infections.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Perinatal HIV transmission can lead to late diagnosis in adolescents.
  • Routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) resistance testing provides valuable genetic data.
  • Phylogenetic analysis is a powerful tool for tracing viral transmission pathways.

Observation:

  • A 17-year-old woman presented with a clinical suspicion of perinatal HIV transmission.
  • Sequences from routine HIV resistance testing (pol gene) were analyzed.
  • Further genetic analysis included the gag and env genes of the HIV genome.

Findings:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of the pol gene sequences supported the suspicion of perinatal HIV transmission.
  • Subsequent analyses of gag and env gene sequences further substantiated the transmission findings.
  • The genetic data provided strong evidence for the mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering perinatal HIV transmission in adolescents with unexplained symptoms.
  • Viral genetic sequencing, including resistance testing, can be crucial for diagnosing and confirming HIV transmission routes.
  • Early diagnosis and intervention are vital for improving health outcomes in individuals with HIV.

More Related Videos

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings19:57

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings

Published on: March 30, 2014

Genotypic Inference of HIV-1 Tropism Using Population-based Sequencing of V311:10

Genotypic Inference of HIV-1 Tropism Using Population-based Sequencing of V3

Published on: December 27, 2010

Related Concept Videos

Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
Transmission of Pathogens01:24

Transmission of Pathogens

Pathogens spread from their reservoirs to susceptible hosts through three main routes: contact transmission, vehicle transmission, and vector transmission. Each route involves distinct mechanisms of transfer.Contact TransmissionThis category includes direct contact, indirect contact, and droplet transmission:Direct contact involves immediate physical interaction between individuals—such as a handshake—which can spread pathogens like Streptococcus pyogenes, the bacterium responsible for...
Sexually Transmitted Infections01:26

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...
Herpes01:28

Herpes

Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...