[Characterization of HIV-1 subtypes in Sfax, Tunisia].
We studied HIV-1 subtypes in 20 patients, originating from Tunisia in 18 cases and Libya in 2 other cases and seen in Regional Hospital of Sfax during 1993-1997. Among the 18 tunisian patients, 14 are infected by subtype B. Nine of them are living in european countries and were probably infected by intravenous drug and/or sexual route. The five other patients infected by subtype B correspond to autochtonous cases: 3 patients were infected by their partner, 1 was infected by blood transfusion and the last one has had multiple sexual partners. For another tunisian patient, serum cross-reacted with 2 peptides C and B (C/B) corresponding to coinfection or subtype recombination. Two strains were indeterminate by SSEIA. The last tunisian patient, contaminated in Libya, is infected by a strain presenting cross-reactivity with subtype A and C (A/C). This same strain was found in one libyan patient. The second libyan patient is infected by subtype C.


CONCLUSIONS
In Tunisia, we noted the frequency of HIV-1 subtype B, originating from european countries. But, the fear of other HIV-1 subtypes introduction and therefore, the emergency of new recombinants must incite us to a greatest vigilance in survey of HIV-1 infection.
Karray-Hakim
Héla
H
Laboratoire de Microbiologie, CHU Habib Bourguiba-Sfax, Tunisie.
Barin
Francis
F
Fki-Berrajah
Lamia
L
Kanoun
Fakher
F
Ben Jmaa
Mounir
M
Hammami
Adnene
A
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012703:Serotyping; D014416:Tunisia
D000914:Antibodies, Viral