Presence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Type 1, Group M, Non‐B Subtypes, Bronx, New York: A Sentinel Site for Monitoring HIV Genetic Diversity in the United States (original) (raw)

2000, The Journal of Infectious Diseases

In the United States, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1, group M, subtype B is the predominant subtype. A cross-sectional study of HIV-infected patients at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY, between September 1997 and February 1998 identified 3 (1.2%) of 252 persons infected with non-B subtypes: subtypes A and F, 1 each, and 1 potential recombinant subtype B(env)/F(prt). All 3 persons were born in the United States and tested positive for HIV antibodies between 1988 and 1997 while living in the Bronx. None reported travel to other countries, receipt of blood products, or drug injection. This study is among the first to indicate probable transmission of non-B HIV-1 subtypes in the United States. The occurrence of non-B HIV-1 subtypes in long-term US residents without a history of foreign travel may have implications for the evaluation and development of antiretroviral drugs, vaccines, and tests intended for use in the United States to diagnose HIV infection and screen blood. Two main types of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been characterized: type 1, the predominant HIV type worldwide, and type 2, which is still localized mainly in persons from West Africa [1]. Group M is the predominant group of HIV-1 and consists of 10 subtypes (A-J) based on genetic characterization of envelope regions. Groups O and N are less common. To date, most HIV isolates identified in North American residents are HIV-1, group M, subtype B, and most US residents infected with non-B subtypes acquired their infections abroad [2-5]. Indigenous transmission of non-B subtypes may