title: Near full-length sequence analysis of HIV type 1 BF recombinants from Italy.
abstract: Recombination between HIV-1 subtypes B and F has generated several circulating and unique recombinant forms, particularly in Latin American areas. In Italy, subtype B is highly prevalent while subtype F is the most common pure non-B subtype. To investigate the recombination pattern in Italian BF recombinant viruses, we characterized full-length sequences derived from 15 adult patients, mostly Italian and infected by the heterosexual route. One of the BF mosaics was a CRF29, three sequences clustered with low bootstrap values with CRF39, CRF40, and CRF42. With the exception of the CRF29-like sequence, the other recombination patterns were unique, but two possible clusters were identified. Analysis of the gp120 V3 domain suggested a possible link with subtype F from Eastern Europe rather than from Latin America, favoring the hypothesis of local recombination between clade B and F viruses over that of import of BF recombinants from Latin America. HIV-1 subtypes B and F appear prone to generation of unique recombinants in Italy, warranting epidemiological surveillance and investigation of a possible clinical significance.
authors: Section of Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. saladini6@unisi.it
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Saladini
authors: Brian T
authors: BT
authors: Foley
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Rosi
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Vicenti
authors: Giulio
authors: G
authors: Nannetti
authors: Genny
authors: G
authors: Meini
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Razzolini
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Zazzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA