Increased Genetic Diversity and Intersubtype Recombinants of HIV-1 in Blood Donors From Urban Cameroon

Abstract

One of the most significant biologic characteristics of HIV-1 is its broad genetic diversity which is revealed by the existence of 3 groups (M N and O) various subtypes (A-D F-H J and K) and sub-subtypes (A1-A4 F1 and F2) and numerous circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) or unique recombinant forms (URFs) within HIV-1 group M. In areas where CRFs spread widely secondgeneration recombinant viruses (SGRs) have been reported to contain the genetic material of at least 1 CRF. The extensive genetic variation the heterogeneous geographic distribution of HIV-1 and in particular the continuous emergence of HIV-1 variants pose potential public health and clinical challenges. It is thus necessary to monitor the evolution of HIV-1 on an ongoing basis. In 2002 we initiated a serologic survey in Douala and Yaounde´ Cameroon where the pandemic infection of HIV-1 with broad genetic diversity and the natural reservoir of HIV-1 groups M and N have been identified. A total of 240 unlinked plasma samples were collected from 2 blood centers from urban areas in Douala and Yaounde´ Cameroon and 135 samples were confirmed to be HIV-1-positive by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-licensed HIV diagnostic tests (results are to be published elsewhere). Eighty-eight HIV-1-positive samples were successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced in gag (p17) and env (gp41) genes. (excerpt)