[Phenotypic characteristics of HIV isolates, isolated in the Belarus Republic]

Biological characteristics of 26 HIV strains circulating in the Republic of Belarus were studied in cell cultures. By the replicative activity, infectivity, and tropism to certain cell lines, all the strains can be divided into 2 groups: rapid/high and slow/low. Slow/low HIV strains were isolated from asymptomatic patients with lymphadenopathy and from AIDS patients. On the other hand, two rapid/high strains were isolated from patients without clinical signs of AIDS 6-8 months after probable infection.