Genetic diversity of the Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus K1 protein in AIDS-KS in Zimbabwe.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes genetically diverse K1 alleles which have unique geographic distributions. Little is known about K1 genetic diversity in Zimbabwe where acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-associated KS (AIDS-KS) is epidemic.

Objective

Evaluate K1 diversity in Zimbabwe and compare Zimbabwean K1 diversity to other areas in Africa.

Study design

K1 nucleotide sequence was determined for AIDS-KS cases in Zimbabwe. K1 references sequences were obtained from Genbank.

Results

Among 65 Zimbabwean AIDS-KS cases, 26 (40%) were K1 subtype A and 39 (60%) were subtype B. Zimbabwean subtype A sequences grouped only with African intratype A5 variants. Zimbabwean subtype B sequences grouped with multiple intratype African variant

SUBMITTER: White T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2556225 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature