Genetic subtypes of Human immunodeficiency viruses type 1 (HIV-1) were investigated in 101 HIV-1-infected individuals living in Spain from 1993 to 1998. Samples selected randomly from the HIV clinic population included 29 Spanish native born subjects (28.7%) and 72 foreigners (71.3%). Proviral DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or viral RNA isolated from plasma was amplified, and endonuclease restriction analysis was carried out on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis on the HIV-1 protease region enabled the characterisation of the different HIV genotypes infecting these individuals. Overall, 38 subjects (37.6%) carried non-B subtypes (A in 26, C in 2, D in 1, E in 2, and F in 7), 31 (81. 6%) of them being immigrants. Direct sequence analysis of PCR products and/or a specific serological assay confirmed the data obtained by RFLP in most individuals tested. In conclusion, different HIV-1 subtypes are circulating currently in Spain, with non-B HIV-1 subtypes being confined mostly to immigrants.
Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.