Molecular screening shows extensive HIV-1 genetic diversity in Central West Brazil.
BACKGROUND
Information is limited about HIV-1 subtypes circulating in less populated Brazilian areas where the AIDS epidemic is expanding, such as in the Central West region.


OBJECTIVE
To describe HIV-1 subtypes in patients from the States of Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul and Mato Grosso in Central West Brazil.


METHODS
Heteroduplex mobility analysis of nested-PCR products from env (primers: ED5/ED12, ES7/ES8) and gag regions (primers: H1P202/H1G777, H1Gag1584/g17) of 406 HIV-1 isolates from Goias (n=271), Mato Grosso do Sul (n=85) and Mato Grosso (n=50) collected from 2001 to 2004.


RESULTS
Median age of patients was 26 years (1-79 range), 68.7% (279/406) females, 69.9% (269/385) sexual exposure, 14.3% parenteral risk, 15.8% vertical cases. Overall 69.9% (284/406) of HIV-1 subtypes were concordant B(env)/B(gag), 1.7% F(env)/F(gag) and 1% C(env)/C(gag). Discordant HIV-1 isolates were 14.5% (59/406), mainly B(env)/F(gag) and F(env)/B(gag) (49/59); five were B(env)/D(gag), four B(env)/C(gag) and one C(env)/D(gag). B/B and discordant B/F isolates were detected among all risk categories and among children and adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Extensive genetic diversity of HIV-1 was observed in Central West Brazil. Continued molecular studies should monitor the changing dynamics of HIV-1 over time especially in areas where the epidemic is growing.
Stefani
Mariane M A
MM
Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goias, Rua Delenda Rezende de Melo s/n, Setor Universitario, 74.605-050 Goiania, Goias, Brazil. mstefani@iptsp.ufg.br
Pereira
Gisner A S
GA
Lins
Janaina A B
JA
Alcantara
Keila C
KC
Silveira
Alexsander A
AA
Viegas
Angela A
AA
Maya
Nadia C
NC
Mussi
Aparecida Hg
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015752:Genes, env; D015750:Genes, gag; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D020180:Heteroduplex Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology