Identification of HIV type 1 group N infections in a husband and wife in Cameroon: viral genome sequences provide evidence for horizontal transmission.
HIV-1 is classified into three groups, M (major), N (non-M non-O), and O (outlier); each group arose from a separate transmission of SIVcpz into humans. HIV-1 group N was recently discovered and infections with this virus are rare with only eight documented cases. All group N infections have been found in Cameroon and there is no evidence of direct linkage between the infected patients. We report here the identification of HIV-1 group N infections in a husband and wife. The group N infection in the husband, 1131-03, was identified first based on seroreactivity in peptide EIAs and confirmed by PCR amplification of group N viral sequences. Subsequently the wife, 1015-04, was evaluated and confirmed to also be infected with a group N virus. Near full-length viral genomes were amplified and sequenced from each patient's specimen. The low level of diversity between the two viral sequences provides evidence of horizontal transmission of group N from one spouse to the other. Patient 1131-03 was receiving antiviral therapy consisting of reverse transcriptase inhibitors; the treatment appears effective for suppression of group N viral replication based on apparently low viral load in plasma specimens collected from the patient and the absence of drug resistance mutations in RT sequences amplified from 1131-03. This report brings to 10 the number of group N infections identified and to 5 the number of group N genomes sequenced. Although group N infections continue to be rare, group N is a pathogenic virus and its prevalence needs to be monitored.
Yamaguchi
Julie
J
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6015, USA.
Coffey
Ruthie
R
Vallari
Ana
A
Ngansop
Charlotte
C
Mbanya
Dora
D
Ndembi
Nicaise
N
Kaptué
Lazare
L
Gürtler
Lutz G
LG
Bodelle
Pierre
P
Schochetman
Gerald
G
Devare
Sushil G
SG
Brennan
Catherine A
CA
D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D016679:Genome, Viral; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000737:chemistry; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012703:Serotyping; D018454:Spouses
D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes; D010446:Peptide Fragments