High Diversity of HIV Type 1 in Algeria

Abstract

We have sequenced different genes of HIV-1 strains from infected individuals recruited in various geographic parts of Algeria; phylogenetic trees were constructed yielding molecular characterization of these strains. Subtype B accounts for 56% of the samples studied and is therefore the predominant subtype, particularly in the north part of the country; but there is a high diversity of the virus including CRF02_AG, CRF06_cpx, CRF02/CRF06 interrecombinants, and different other intersubtype and/or inter-CRF recombinants. The prevalence of these non-B viruses increases in the south part of Algeria that borders sub-Saharan African countries. The high diversity of HIV-1 in Algeria has implications for virological follow-up, resistance surveys, and vaccine design.

HIV-1 molecular epidemiology evidence and transmission patterns in the Middle East and North Africa

“…In Algeria subtype B was found to be predominant, particularly in the north of the country, accounting for 56% of samples studied 9. There is, however, a high diversity of recombinant subtypes in the southern part of Algeria, bordering with sub-Saharan Africa 9. Subtype B also accounted for 98% of the cases among Caucasian Israeli and Palestinian isolates 17.…”

“…The high population mobility in MENA including migration, tourism, studying and working abroad, and military deployment among others explain in large part the observed pattern of exogenous exposures and subsequent subtype diversity,6 as well as explaining the observed Africanisation of subtypes in some settings 6 9 22 25. Southern Algeria and Morocco are both important migration hubs for migrants from sub-Saharan African countries towards Europe and this is reflected in the high diversity of non-B subtypes and CRF in these regions 9 22.…”

“…Southern Algeria and Morocco are both important migration hubs for migrants from sub-Saharan African countries towards Europe and this is reflected in the high diversity of non-B subtypes and CRF in these regions 9 22. In Turkey, non-B subtype infections are also thought to be mainly caused by immigrants or residents from Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East 29.…”

Genetic characterization of complex inter‐recombinant HIV‐1 strains circulating in Spain and reliability of distinct rapid subtyping tools

“…Since CRFs constitute at least 10-20% of newly identified strains in the HIV-1 epidemic, recombination involving different CRFs and subtypes will be expected [Mamadou et al, 2003;Yang et al, 2003;Burda et al, 2004;Toni et al, 2005;Bouzeghoub et al, 2006;Paraskevis et al, 2006], particularly in areas where CRFs are highly prevalent. Accordingly, CRF02_AG/CRF06_cpx recombinants have been identified in Niger [Mamadou et al, 2003], where both CRFs are predominant [Ouedraogo-Traore et al, 2003], in Ivory Coast [Toni et al, 2005] and more recently in Algeria [Bouzeghoub et al, 2006].…”

“…Accordingly, CRF02_AG/CRF06_cpx recombinants have been identified in Niger [Mamadou et al, 2003], where both CRFs are predominant [Ouedraogo-Traore et al, 2003], in Ivory Coast [Toni et al, 2005] and more recently in Algeria [Bouzeghoub et al, 2006].…”