Multiple V1/V2 env variants are frequently present during primary infection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

ABSTRACT: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) exists as a complex population of multiple genotypic variants in persons with chronic infection. However, acute HIV-1 infection via sexual transmission is a low-probability event in which there is thought to be low genetic complexity in the initial inoculum. In order to assess the viral complexity present during primary HIV-1 infection, the V1/V2 and V3 variable regions of the env gene were examined by using a heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA) capable of resolving these genotypic variants. Blood plasma samples from 26 primary HIV-1-infected subjects were analyzed for their level of diversity. Half of the subjects had more than one V1/V2 viral variant during primary infection, indicating the frequent transmission of multiple variants. This observa

SUBMITTER: Ritola K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC521858 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature