Predominance of HIV-1 subtype A and D infections in Uganda.
To better characterize the virus isolates associated with the HIV-1 epidemic in Uganda, 100 specimens from HIV-1-infected persons were randomly selected from each of two periods from late 1994 to late 1997. The 200 specimens were classified into HIV-1 subtypes by sequence- based phylogenetic analysis of the envelope (env) gp41 region; 98 (49%) were classified as env subtype A, 96 (48%) as D, 5 (2.5%) as C, and 1 was not classified as a known env subtype. Demographic characteristics of persons infected with the two principal HIV-1 subtypes, A and D, were very similar, and the proportion of either subtype did not differ significantly between early and later periods. Our systematic characterization of the HIV-1 epidemic in Uganda over an almost 3-year period documented that the distribution and degree of genetic diversity of the HIV subtypes A and D are very similar and did not change appreciably over that time.
Hu
D J
DJ
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. dhu@cdc.gov
Baggs
J
J
Downing
R G
RG
Pieniazek
D
D
Dorn
J
J
Fridlund
C
C
Biryahwaho
B
B
Sempala
S D
SD
Rayfield
M A
MA
Dondero
T J
TJ
Lal
R
R
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology