title: HIV infections in northwestern Cameroon: identification of HIV type 1 group O and dual HIV type 1 group M and group O infections.
abstract: HIV-1 strain diversity was examined in a study population that consisted of hospital and clinic patients from seven cities and villages located in the northwestern regions of Cameroon. Specimens were screened using a serological algorithm designed to identify HIV-1 group M, N, and O, and SIVcpz-like infections followed by RT-PCR amplification to characterize the infecting virus. The results show that the HIV epidemic in northwest Cameroon is dominated by HIV-1 group M CRF02_AG infections (57%). Additional group M subtypes present include A, D, F2, G, and CRF01_AE. Based on discordant subtype classification between gag and env sequences, a high percentage (23%) of viral strains appear to be unique intersubtype recombinants with the majority (88%) involving recombination with CRF02_AG. Group O prevalence is low accounting for only 0.4% of HIV infections. However, group O strain diversity is high; isolates from clades I, IV, and V, as well as unclassified and recombinant strains, were found. Three dual infections by HIV-1 group M and group O were identified and characterized. In two specimens, both group M and O sequences were amplified in gag, pol, and env suggesting the presence of both viruses. Analysis of the third specimen shows the presence of a group O virus and an intergroup M/O recombinant virus. Finally, no infections due to HIV-1 group N or SIVcpz-like strains were found in the study population.
authors.affiliation: Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois 60048, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bodelle
authors.forename: Ana S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Vallari
authors.forename: Ruthie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coffey
authors.forename: Carole P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: McArthur
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schochetman
authors.forename: Sushil G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Devare
authors.forename: Catherine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brennan
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000737:chemistry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012703:Serotyping; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; C059762:HIV envelope protein gp120 (305-321); D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010455:Peptides