Intersubtype human immunodeficiency virus type 1 superinfection following seroconversion to primary infection in two injection drug users.
In this study, we describe two cases of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) intersubtype superinfection with CRF01_AE and subtype B strains, which occurred in two injection drug users participating in a prospective cohort study in Bangkok, Thailand. In both cases, the superinfecting strain was detected by molecular and serologic analyses several weeks after complete seroconversion to the primary infection with a strain belonging to a different subtype. Superinfection occurred despite specific T-cell and humoral antibody responses to the primary virus. In both cases, cross-subtype immune responses were limited or absent prior to the second infection. These data show that, in some individuals, the quality and quantity of the immune response elicited by primary HIV-1 infection may not protect against superinfection. This finding has important implications for vaccine design. HIV-1 vaccines, at a minimum, will need to include potent, broadly protective, conserved immunogens derived from several group M subtypes.
Ramos
Artur
A
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
Hu
Dale J
DJ
Nguyen
Lily
L
Phan
Kim-Oanh
KO
Vanichseni
Suphak
S
Promadej
Nattawan
N
Choopanya
Kachit
K
Callahan
Margaret
M
Young
Nancy L
NL
McNicholl
Janet
J
Mastro
Timothy D
TD
Folks
Thomas M
TM
Subbarao
Shambavi
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000276:immunology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D015163:Superinfection; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; C059762:HIV envelope protein gp120 (305-321); D010446:Peptide Fragments