Introduction of HIV-2 and Multiple HIV-1 Subtypes to Lebanon

• DOI: 10.3201/eid0404.980418
• Publication Date: 2009-08-24T14:09:37Z
• Authors: Danuta Pieniazek; James Baggs; Dale J. Hu; Ghassan M. Matar; Alexander M. Abde...; Jacques E. Mokhbat; Marwan Uwaydah; Abdul Rahman Bizri; Artur Ramos; Luiz M. Janini; Amilcar Tanuri; Carol Fridlund; Charles Schable; Leo Heyndrickx; Mark A. Rayfield; Walid Heneine
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Asia; Epidemiology; Molecular Sequence Data; HIV Core Protein p24; HIV Infections; Viral diseases; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; HIV Envelope Protein gp120; Asia, West; Middle East; 03 medical and health sciences; Belgium; HIV Protease; Virology; Humans; Lebanon; Subtypes; 0303 health sciences; West; Base Sequence; R; Middle Aged; United States; 3. Good health; DNA, Viral; HIV-2; HIV-1; Medicine; Female; Brazil

HIV genetic variability, phylogenetic relationships, and transmission dynamics were analyzed in 26 HIV-infected patients from Lebanon. Twenty-five specimens were identified as HIV-1 and one as HIV-2 subtype B. The 25 strains were classified into six env-C2-V3 HIV-1 subtypes: B (n = 10), A (n = 11), C (n = 1), D (n = 1), G (n = 1), and unclassifiable. Potential recombinants combining parts of viral regions from different subtypes Aenv/Dpol/Agag, Genv/Apol, and the unclassifiable-subtype(env)/unclassifiable-subtype(pol)/Agag were found in three patients. Epidemiologic analysis of travel histories and behavioral risks indicated that HIV-1 and HIV-2 subtypes reflected HIV strains prevalent in countries visited by patients or their sex partners. Spread of complex HIV-subtype distribution patterns to regions where HIV is not endemic may be more common than previously thought. Blood screening for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 in Lebanon is recommended to protect the blood supply. HIV subtype data provide information for vaccine development.