title: When phylogenetic analysis complements the epidemiological investigation: a case of HIV-2 infection, Italy.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) infection is geographically restricted, affecting West African countries such as Guinea- Bissau and Cape Verde. We describe a recent case of HIV-2 infection in an Italian patient. Phylogenetic analysis of the V3 region of HIV-2 indicated that the Italian patient was infected by HIV-2 subtype A2. The sequence obtained from the Italian patient clustered significantly with a sequence isolated from Senegal. A phylogenetic doubt may arise from a Guinea Bissau sequence because it was in a major clade with the Italian and Senegal sequences, but was not statistically significant. The discovery of another Italian case over a short time frame stresses the importance of strengthening the surveillance system for HIV-2 because of the increase in migration from endemic areas to Italy.
authors: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy. massimo.ciccozzi@iss.it
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Ciccozzi
authors: Annapaola
authors: A
authors: Callegaro
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Lo Presti
authors: Eleonora
authors: E
authors: Cella
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Giovanetti
authors: Romina
authors: R
authors: Salpini
authors: Muhammed
authors: M
authors: Babakir-Mina
authors: Claudio
authors: C
authors: Farina
authors: Franco
authors: F
authors: Maggiolo
authors: Carlo Federico
authors: CF
authors: Perno
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Ciotti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D015752:Genes, env / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D058974:Phylogeography; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012675:Senegal / Q000208:ethnology; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000208:ethnology / Q000821:virology