Higher viral load may explain the dominance of CRF02_AG in the molecular epidemiology of HIV in Ghana.
Phylogenetic analysis of Ghanaian plasma samples from 84 asymptomatic candidate blood donors and 150 AIDS patients revealed a 63% prevalence of HIV-1 CRF02_AG. HIV-1 viral load in both populations was quantified using real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. In asymptomatic candidate blood donors infected with CRF02_AG, the viral load was significantly higher than in donors infected with other HIV-1 molecular forms. A higher viral load of CRF02-AG is compatible with higher infectivity and prevalence.
Fischetti
Lucia
L
Division of Transfusion Medicine, Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Opare-Sem
Ohene
O
Candotti
Daniel
D
Lee
Helen
H
Allain
Jean-Pierre
JP
D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D018075:RNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D019562:Viral Load
D018075:RNA, Complementary; D012367:RNA, Viral