Circulation of novel HIV type 1 A, B/C, and F subtypes in Argentina

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2005 Feb;21(2):158-64. doi: 10.1089/aid.2005.21.158.

Abstract

The Argentine HIV-1 epidemic is considered to be represented mainly by subtype B and diverse B/F recombinants, with apparent absence of pure subtype F. In this study we describe three novel HIV-1 variants isolated from four infants born in different and distant provinces of Argentina. Partial analysis of different gene fragments spanning 18.5-40.8% of the HIV-1 complete genome revealed two subtype A HIV-1 strains in siblings, a B/C recombinant with a novel mosaic structure, and a putative subtype F. Characteristic patterns of genomic and amino acid sequences of the newly reported subtype F isolate suggest a closer genetic relationship to Argentine B/F recombinants than any other subtype F strain described so far, while the A and B/C subtypes found correspond to unusual genotypes in Argentina. Understanding the origin, diversity, and spread of HIV-1 strains worldwide will be necessary for the development of an effective vaccine approach.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Argentina
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • HIV Long Terminal Repeat
  • HIV-1 / classification*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Sequence Data