HIV type 1 subtypes in circulation in northern Kenya.
The genetic subtypes of HIV-1 circulating in northern Kenya have not been characterized. Here we report the partial sequencing and analysis of samples collected in the years 2003 and 2004 from 72 HIV-1-positive patients in northern Kenya, which borders Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. From the analysis of partial env sequences, it was determined that 50% were subtype A, 39% subtype C, and 11% subtype D. This shows that in the northern border region of Kenya subtypes A and C are the dominant HIV-1 subtypes in circulation. Ethiopia is dominated mainly by HIV-1 subtype C, which incidentally is the dominant subtype in the town of Moyale, which borders Ethiopia. These results show that cross-border movements play an important role in the circulation of subtypes in Northern Kenya.
Khamadi
Samoel A
SA
Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya. skhamadi@nairobi.mimcom.net
Ochieng
Washington
W
Lihana
Raphael W
RW
Kinyua
Joyceline
J
Muriuki
Joseph
J
Mwangi
Joseph
J
Lwembe
Raphael
R
Kiptoo
Michael
M
Osman
Saida
S
Lagat
Nancy
N
Pelle
Roger
R
Muigai
Anne
A
Carter
Jane Y
JY
Oishi
Isao
I
Ichimura
Hiroshi
H
Mwaniki
D L
DL
Okoth
Fredrick A
FA
Mpoke
Solomon
S
Songok
Elijah M
EM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015752:Genes, env / Q000235:genetics; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D013045:Species Specificity
D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41