[Identification of B and F human immunodeficiency virus subtypes in Chilean patients].
BACKGROUND
Type I human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is characterized by a great genetic variability. There are three groups of virus throughout the world: O, N and M. Group M is responsible for AIDS pandemic and is subdivided in 9 genetic subtypes. Most viral strains in South America are subtype B.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency of HIV subtypes in Chilean patients.


METHODS
Genetic analysis of C2-V3-C3 region of the gene env in HIV strains coming from 77 Chilean subjects infected by different means. DNA heteroduplex mobility assay was used to determine HIV subtypes.


RESULTS
Sixty eight cases were infected with subtype B (88.3%) and nine cases were infected with subtype F (11.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Subtype B is the predominant HIV in Chile, but subtype F is also present.
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120