Introduction of HIV-2 and multiple HIV-1 subtypes to Lebanon.
HIV genetic variability, phylogenetic relationships, and transmission dynamics were analyzed in 26 HIV-infected patients from Lebanon. Twenty-five specimens were identified as HIV-1 and one as HIV-2 subtype B. The 25 strains were classified into six env-C2-V3 HIV-1 subtypes: B (n = 10), A (n = 11), C (n = 1), D (n = 1), G (n = 1), and unclassifiable. Potential recombinants combining parts of viral regions from different subtypes Aenv/Dpol/Agag, Genv/Apol, and the unclassifiable-subtype(env)/unclassifiable-subtype(pol)/Agag were found in three patients. Epidemiologic analysis of travel histories and behavioral risks indicated that HIV-1 and HIV-2 subtypes reflected HIV strains prevalent in countries visited by patients or their sex partners. Spread of complex HIV-subtype distribution patterns to regions where HIV is not endemic may be more common than previously thought. Blood screening for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in Lebanon is recommended to protect the blood supply. HIV subtype data provide information for vaccine development.
Pieniazek
D
D
HIV/Retrovirus Diseases Branch, Division of AIDS, STD, and TB Laboratory Research, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. dxp1@cdc.gov
Baggs
J
J
Hu
D J
DJ
Matar
G M
GM
Abdelnoor
A M
AM
Mokhbat
J E
JE
Uwaydah
M
M
Bizri
A R
AR
Ramos
A
A
Janini
L M
LM
Tanuri
A
A
Fridlund
C
C
Schable
C
C
Heyndrickx
L
L
Rayfield
M A
MA
Heneine
W
W
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005260:Female; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24 / Q000235:genetics; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D016333:HIV Protease / Q000235:genetics; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
D004279:DNA, Viral; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D016333:HIV Protease