In order to develop a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vaccine with global efficacy, it is important to evaluate the virus populations that are transmitted to individuals living in high-incidence areas. To determine the nature of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 population transmitted to women during heterosexual contact, we examined the diversity of the proviral envelope gene in infected cells in both genital secretions and peripheral blood from six recently seroconverted Kenyan women. Heterogeneous virus populations were present in cervical secretions and/or peripheral blood shortly after seroconversion for five of six infected individuals, and tissue-specific variants were identified in several cases.
PIP: The HIV-1 population in an infected individual often includes a diverse mix of variants distinguished mainly by differences in the extracellular envelope glycoprotein. Some variants may be favored for cell- and tissue-specific replication. In order to develop a HIV-1 vaccine which will be effective worldwide, researchers need to evaluate the virus populations which are transmitted to individuals living in high-incidence areas. The authors examined the diversity of the proviral envelope gene in infected cells in the genital secretions and peripheral blood of six recently seroconverted Kenyan female prostitutes in the attempt to determine the nature of the HIV-1 population transmitted to women during heterosexual contact. Heterogeneous virus populations were present in cervical secretions and/or peripheral blood shortly after seroconversion for five of the six women, and tissue-specific variants were identified in several cases. Study findings suggest that virus heterogeneity in the cohort was due to the transmission of multiple HIV-1 genotypes.