[Properties of CRF02_AG HIV-1 isolates circulating in Novosibirsk region]

Study of circulating 02_AG recombinant form HIV-1 isolates that have been rapidly spreading in Novosibirsk region during 3 recent years.

WHO protocol for primary HIV isolation was used, automatic sequencer was used for genetic characterization of isolates. Virus specific RNA were isolated and env HIV-1 region DNA fragments were processed. Phylogenetic analysis was also performed.

CRF_02AG HIV-1 isolated from peripheral blood of HIV-1 positive patients belonged to CCR5 tropic viruses and had various reproduction characteristics. Most of the HIV isolated were rapidly replicating virus variants characterized by an ability to accumulate high levels of virus protein p24 in cultural fluid. Infectivity and reproductive properties of HIV isolates were confirmed in experimental infection by using clarified cultural liquid of mononuclear cells from healthy donors. Phylogenetic analysis of CRF02_AG HIV-1 variants isolated in Novosibirsk region in 2007 - 2010 showed the formation of a separate outbreak in the area caused by emergence of CRF02_AG HIV-1 in human population.

A collection of genetically and biologically characterized CRF02_AG HIV-1 isolates that has not been spreading previously in Russia.