Four new HIV-1 group N isolates from Cameroon: Prevalence continues to be low.
Analysis of 3555 HIV-seropositive specimens, collected in Cameroon from 2002 to 2006, led to the identification of four HIV-1 group N infections based on differential seroreactivity to HIV env-derived peptides and proteins and confirmation by nucleic acid amplification. Group N prevalence continues to be low accounting for only 0.1% of HIV infections in Cameroon. Near full-length genomic sequences were obtained from viral RNA or proviral DNA by PCR amplification of overlapping fragments for three isolates, 06CM-U14296, 06CM-U14842, and 02CM-SJGddd. Two genome segments, partial pol and env-nef, were obtained from viral RNA for the fourth isolate, 02CM-TIM0217. With the four group N isolates identified in this study and group N sequences previously reported, eight near full-length and five partial genome sequences are now available. Despite genetic divergence from HIV-1 group M and O, all of the group N infections evaluated by five commercial HIV immunoassays were detected.
Vallari
Ana
A
Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064, USA.
Bodelle
Pierre
P
Ngansop
Charlotte
C
Makamche
Florence
F
Ndembi
Nicaise
N
Mbanya
Dora
D
Kaptué
Lazare
L
Gürtler
Lutz G
LG
McArthur
Carole P
CP
Devare
Sushil G
SG
Brennan
Catherine A
CA
D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015995:Prevalence; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012703:Serotyping
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral