Evidence of at least two introductions of HIV-1 in the Amerindian Warao population from Venezuela.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Venezuelan Amerindians were, until recently, free of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. However, in 2007, HIV-1 infection was detected for the first time in the Warao Amerindian population living in the Eastern part of Venezuela, in the delta of the Orinoco river. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of the HIV-1 circulating in this population.

Methodology/principal findings

The pol genomic region was sequenced for 16 HIV-1 isolates and for some of them, sequences from env, vif and nef genomic regions were obtained. All HIV-1 isolates were classified as subtype B, with exception of one that was classified as subtype C. The 15 subtype B isolates exhibited a high degree of genetic similarity and formed a highly supported monophyl

SUBMITTER: Rangel HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3395626 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature