Infection with HIV type 1 group M non-B subtypes in individuals living in New York City.
OBJECTIVE
To document infection with HIV type 1 (HIV-1) group M non-B subtypes in individuals living in New York City.


METHODS
From October 1999 through April 2003, HIV-1-seropositive individuals were selected from 3 clinics in New York City based on having risk factors for infection with HIV-1 non-B subtypes.


METHODS
HIV-1 RNA was extracted from plasma samples, and partial gag, pol, or env genes were amplified by PCR analysis. The infecting HIV-1 group M subtype was determined based on results of either heteroduplex mobility assay or sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven subjects were enrolled in the study. Of the 97 subjects, 91 (94%) were selected based on having emigrated from a non-European country, while 6 (6%) were native United States citizens. Subtypes were successfully determined in 53 (55%) of the 97 plasma samples tested. The subtypes in 2 plasma samples were unclassifiable. HIV-1 infections were classified as those due to the following group M subtypes: A (n = 4; 7%), B (n = 12; 22%), C (n = 8; 15%), F (n = 2; 4%), CRF01_AE-like (n = 7; 13%), CRF02_AG-like (n = 19; 34%), an intersubtype recombinant form G/A (n = 1; 2%), and unclassifiable viruses (n = 2; 4%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study reveals infection with a broad variety of HIV-1 group M subtypes mostly in the immigrant population of New York City as well as how several non-B subtypes are being introduced into the United States.
Achkar
Jacqueline M
JM
Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY 10010, USA. Jacqueline.Achkar@med.nyu.edu
Burda
Sherri T
ST
Konings
Frank A J
FA
Urbanski
Mateusz M
MM
Williams
Constance A U
CA
Seifen
Dorothee
D
Kahirimbanyi
Martha N
MN
Vogler
Mary
M
Parta
Mark
M
Lupatkin
Helene C
HC
Zolla-Pazner
Susan
S
Nyambi
Phillipe N
PN
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D015752:Genes, env; D015750:Genes, gag; D015751:Genes, pol; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014195:Travel
D012367:RNA, Viral