Molecular epidemiology of HIV type 1 subtypes in Rwanda

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2013 Jun;29(6):957-62. doi: 10.1089/AID.2012.0095. Epub 2013 Apr 1.

Abstract

HIV-1 infection is characterized by genetic diversity, with multiple subtypes and recombinant variants circulating, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. During the Rwandan genocide, many women experienced multiple rapes and some became HIV-1 infected. We studied plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 30 infected women comprising two exposure groups: those with numerous contacts, raped multiple times, and women with one lifetime sexual partner and no history of rape. Population-based sequences from gag, pol, and env genes were analyzed to determine HIV-1 subtypes and intersubtype recombination. Individual plasma-derived variants from 12 women were also analyzed. Subtype A was found in 24/30 (80%), intersubtype recombination (AC and AD) in 4/30 (13%), and subtypes C and D in 1/30 each. In two subjects, the pattern of HIV-1 recombination differed between plasma and PBMC-derived sequences. Intersubtype recombination was common, although there were no significant differences in subtype or recombination rates between exposure groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
  • HIV Infections / etiology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Rape
  • Rwanda / epidemiology
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics

Substances

  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • gp120 protein, Human immunodeficiency virus 1
  • pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus