Interaction with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Type 2 Predicts HIV Type 1 Genotype

Abstract

In West Africa, India, and certain regions of Europe, both human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) are known to cocirculate. To investigate the HIV-1 subtypes involved in dual HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections, we sequenced the envelope C2-V3 region from 29 dually infected female commercial sex workers from Senegal. The majority of women (23 of 29) were infected by HIV-1 subtype A. Within the HIV-1 subtype A sequences, 14 of 23 (60.8%) clustered with the West African associated A/G recombinant form (IbNG), and 9 of 23 (39.2%) formed a separate cluster distinct from the A/G IbNG. In contrast, in HIV-1 singly infected individuals, non-IbNG subtype A was found in only 13 of 98 (13.3%). Therefore, the lack of protection and/or interaction with HIV-2 was associated with a distinct HIV-1 A genotype. These results suggest differences in the biological properties of HIV-1 genotypes and their in vivo interaction with HIV-2.

Distinct Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Subtype A Virus Circulating in West Africa: Sub-Subtype A3

“…HIV-1 infection in West Africa is principally due to CRF02AG (2,4,6,19,22,23,25). Recent work conducted in our laboratory revealed that a distinct group of viruses within the HIV-1A subtype radiation is also present in Senegal (30,32,35). Phylogenetic analyses indicated that this group of viruses, which we previously referred to as HIV-1A subcluster 2, differed from sub-subtypes A1 and A2 (30,32).…”

“…Recent work conducted in our laboratory revealed that a distinct group of viruses within the HIV-1A subtype radiation is also present in Senegal (30,32,35). Phylogenetic analyses indicated that this group of viruses, which we previously referred to as HIV-1A subcluster 2, differed from sub-subtypes A1 and A2 (30,32). Since the categorization of these viruses was primarily based on sequencing of the C2-V3 region of the env gene and a small region of the gag gene, further analysis was warranted.…”

“…Since the categorization of these viruses was primarily based on sequencing of the C2-V3 region of the env gene and a small region of the gag gene, further analysis was warranted. In addition, we were particularly interested in further characterization of this virus after we found that it was actually overrepresented in women dually infected with HIV-1 and HIV-2 compared to women infected with HIV-1 alone (32). The goal of this investigation was to obtain additional evidence to determine the genetic relatedness and relationship of this subcluster of subtype A viruses with respect to reference HIV-1 A1 and HIV-1 A2 viruses; we therefore analyzed full-length HIV-1 sequences.…”

Diagnosis of dual human immunodeficiency virus types 1 & 2 infections in a resouce-limited setting

“…However, the data provides valuable information for future comparison with prevalence rates that may be seen later. Almost 29 (40%) of the CSW in Senegal in a particular study on dual infections were Ghanaians (13). This suggests that international migration may contribute to the current prevalence of dual infections attending treatment centres in Ghana.…”

“…Super infection with either HIV-l or HIV-2 is also possible (13), so this patient may therefore have an active HIV-2 infection which is being established. Alternatively, HIV-1 may have outgrown HIV-2 in vivo resulting in a reduction in HIV-2 specific antibodies overtime.…”