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Isolation of Fidelity Variants of RNA Viruses and Characterization of Virus Mutation Frequency
Published on: June 16, 2011
Origine, diffusion et évolution des VIH-1 de groupe O
Marie Leoz1, Fabienne De Oliveira1, Jean-Christophe Plantier1
1Normandie Univ, UniRouen, EA2656, CHU de Rouen, Laboratoire associé au Centre national de référence du VIH, 76000 Rouen, France.
Abstract:
HIV-1 group O (HIV-1/O) are rare variants that are mainly found in Cameroon, where they represent several thousands of cases. The reasons for their limited diffusion remains poorly understood: their emergence is estimated as ancient as that of pandemic HIV-1/M, and ancient cases of exportation on diverse continents have been identified for both groups. In France, more than a hundred cases have been identified so far that are mostly linked with Cameroon. HIV-1/O have developed a great level of genetic diversity and an atypical phylogenetic structure whose description remained ambiguous, due to the existence of several nomenclatures, which have only recently been unified. Their great genetic diversity and divergence from HIV-1/M probably impacts diverse properties, such as counteraction of Tetherin. Further studying the epidemiologic, evolutionary and virologic characteristics of these variants will allow for a better understanding of their limited spread and the future of this epidemic. In this respect, the recent description of diverse M/O intergroup recombinant forms underlines an evolutionary potential.
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