Abstract
HIV genetic variability, phylogenetic relationships, and transmission dynamics were analyzed in 26 HIV-infected patients from Lebanon. Twenty-five specimens were identified as HIV-1 and one as HIV-2 subtype B. The 25 strains were classified into six env-C2-V3 HIV-1 subtypes: B (n = 10), A (n = 11), C (n = 1), D (n = 1), G (n = 1), and unclassifiable. Potential recombinants combining parts of viral regions from different subtypes Aenv/Dpol/Agag, Genv/Apol, and the unclassifiable-subtype(env)/unclassifiable-subtype(pol)/Agag were found in three patients. Epidemiologic analysis of travel histories and behavioral risks indicated that HIV-1 and HIV-2 subtypes reflected HIV strains prevalent in countries visited by patients or their sex partners. Spread of complex HIV-subtype distribution patterns to regions where HIV is not endemic may be more common than previously thought. Blood screening for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in Lebanon is recommended to protect the blood supply. HIV subtype data provide information for vaccine development.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Base Sequence
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DNA, Viral
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Female
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HIV Core Protein p24 / genetics
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HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
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HIV Infections / epidemiology
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HIV Infections / virology*
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HIV Protease / genetics
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HIV-1 / classification*
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HIV-1 / genetics
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HIV-1 / isolation & purification
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HIV-2 / classification*
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HIV-2 / genetics
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HIV-2 / isolation & purification
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Humans
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Lebanon / epidemiology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Molecular Sequence Data
Substances
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DNA, Viral
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HIV Core Protein p24
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HIV Envelope Protein gp120
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HIV Protease
Associated data
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GENBANK/AF025691
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GENBANK/AF025692
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GENBANK/AF025693
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GENBANK/AF025694
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GENBANK/AF025695
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GENBANK/AF025696
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GENBANK/AF025697
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GENBANK/AF025698
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GENBANK/AF025699
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GENBANK/AF025700
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GENBANK/AF025701
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GENBANK/AF025702
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GENBANK/AF025703
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GENBANK/AF025704
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GENBANK/AF025705
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GENBANK/AF025706
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GENBANK/AF025707
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GENBANK/AF025708
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GENBANK/AF025709
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GENBANK/AF025710
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GENBANK/AF025711
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GENBANK/AF025712
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GENBANK/AF025713
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GENBANK/AF025714
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GENBANK/AF025715
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GENBANK/AF025716
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GENBANK/AF025717
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GENBANK/AF025718
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GENBANK/AF025719
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GENBANK/AF025720