Abstract
We assessed the genetic and the antigenic variability within the env gene of peripheral blood human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) group O populations during the natural course of a female heterosexual infection. Our data revealed the existence of a significant increase in amino acid sequence variability within the C2-V3 and gp41 regions (P = 0.023 and P < 0.001, respectively) in association with substitutions within neutralizing epitope sequences usually selected for HIV serological assays. These antigenic variations might significantly decrease the sensitivity of classical HIV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with blood samples of subjects heterosexually infected by HIV-1 group O strains. These findings may be of significant use both to devise diagnostic tools and to pursue suitable therapeutic modalities in cases of heterosexual infection by outlier HIV-1 strains.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
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Antigenic Variation / genetics*
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Base Sequence
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Blood / virology
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Epitopes / genetics
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Female
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Genes, env*
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Genetic Variation*
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HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / genetics
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HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / genetics
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HIV Infections / virology*
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HIV-1 / classification*
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HIV-1 / genetics*
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HIV-1 / isolation & purification
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Heterosexuality
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Humans
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Pilot Projects
Substances
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Epitopes
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HIV Envelope Protein gp120
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HIV Envelope Protein gp41
Associated data
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GENBANK/AM262114
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GENBANK/AM262115
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GENBANK/AM262116
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GENBANK/AM262117
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GENBANK/AM262118
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GENBANK/AM262119
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GENBANK/AM262120
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GENBANK/AM262121
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GENBANK/AM262122
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GENBANK/AM262123
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GENBANK/AM262124
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GENBANK/AM262125
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GENBANK/AM262126
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GENBANK/AM262127
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GENBANK/AM262128
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GENBANK/AM262129
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GENBANK/AM262130
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GENBANK/AM262131
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GENBANK/AM262132
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GENBANK/AM262133
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GENBANK/AM262134
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GENBANK/AM262135
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GENBANK/AM262136
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GENBANK/AM262137
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GENBANK/AM262138
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GENBANK/AM262139
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GENBANK/AM262140
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GENBANK/AM262141
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GENBANK/AM262142
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GENBANK/AM262143
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GENBANK/AM262144
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GENBANK/AM262145
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GENBANK/AM262146