Molecular epidemiology of HIV type 1 in northern Brazil: identification of subtypes C and D and the introduction of CRF02_AG in the Amazon region of Brazil.
The molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 strains circulating in Belem-PA and Macapa-AP, in the Northern region of Brazil, is described using sequences of the C2V3 segment of the env and the pro gene of HIV-1 from patients of the Reference Unit for Special Infectious and Parasitary Diseases (URE-DIPE) in Belem-PA and the Central Laboratory (LACEN) in Macapa-AP. Subtype B was the most frequently found in relation to pro (88.3%) in Belem and in Macapa (97.1%) and env (88.3% in Belem and 100% in Macapa). Subtype F was also described in Belem (9.3% pro and 8.3% env) and Macapa (2.8% pro). Subtype D was described for the first time in the Northern region of the country as well as the recent entry of CRF02_AG. Furthermore, several possible recombinant forms among the various subtypes were found in both cities. The results support the hypothesis that HIV-1 infection is associated with the epidemic of the virus in the Southeast region of the country and that the city of Belem is the most important route for HIV-1 entry in the Northern region of Brazil.
Virus Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Para, Para, Brazil.
Luiz F A
LF
Machado
Marluísa O G
MO
Ishak
Antonio C R
AC
Vallinoto
José Alexandre R
JA
Lemos
Vania N
VN
Azevedo
Marcio R C
MR
Moreira
Maria I M
MI
Souza
Luciana M
LM
Fernandes
Lia L B
LL
Souza
Ricardo
R
Ishak
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D016333:HIV Protease / Q000235:genetics; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017385:Sequence Homology; D055815:Young Adult; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics
D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D016333:HIV Protease