Significant genetic and antigenic variability within the env gene of systemic human immunodeficiency virus type 1 group O populations during the natural course of a heterosexual infection: a pilot study.

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 pursu

SUBMITTER: Andreoletti L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1865847 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature