title: Introduction of HIV-2 and multiple HIV-1 subtypes to Lebanon.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pieniazek
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baggs
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Matar
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Abdelnoor
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Mokhbat
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uwaydah
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bizri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Janini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanuri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fridlund
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schable
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heyndrickx
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rayfield
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heneine
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D016655:HIV Core Protein p24; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D016333:HIV Protease