Trends of HIV1 molecular epidemiology in Venezuela: introduction of subtype C and identification of a novel B/C mosaic genome (original) (raw)

The AIDS epidemic in Venezuela impacts approximately 170,000 individuals, with prior research indicating a dominance of HIV-1 subtype B. This study investigates the molecular epidemiology of newly diagnosed HIV-1 cases across various regions of Venezuela. Utilizing clinical data and blood samples, the study employed nested PCR and heteroduplex mobility assays to identify subtypes, revealing a high prevalence of clade B and the introduction of subtype C along with a novel B/C mosaic genome, marking a significant finding in the country's HIV landscape.