Identification and genomic sequence of an HIV type 1 group N isolate from Cameroon.
HIV-infected plasma specimens, collected in Cameroon between 1999 and 2002, were screened for HIV-1 group N and SIVcpz infections using a serological screening algorithm based on immunoassays with antigens derived from HIV-1 group M, N, and O, and SIVcpz strains. Specimens with reactivity to group N and SIVcpz antigens were characterized by RT-PCR and sequence analysis to identify the infecting virus. Although several specimens were serotyped as potential group N or SIVcpz infections, only one group N infection was confirmed. The specimen, 02CM-DJO0131, was collected in 2002 from a hospital patient at the D'Joungolo Hospital, Yaoundé. The virus genome was amplified as seven overlapping fragments comprising 8938 nucleotides. Phylogenetic analysis shows that 02CM-DJO0131 branches with group N sequences. With this study, three near full-length sequences are now available for group N. While we confirm the presence of group N in the Cameroonian population, group N infections continue to be rare and difficult to identify.
Bodelle
Pierre
P
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois 60048, USA.
Vallari
Ana
A
Coffey
Ruthie
R
McArthur
Carole P
CP
Beyeme
Mathilde
M
Devare
Sushil G
SG
Schochetman
Gerald
G
Brennan
Catherine A
CA
D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016679:Genome, Viral; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics
D015686:Gene Products, env