Circulating and unique recombinant forms of HIV type 1 containing subsubtype A2

Unchalee Visawapoka, Sodsai Tovanabutra, Jeffrey R. Currier, Josephine H. Cox, Carl J. Mason, Monique Wasunna, Mathurose Ponglikitmongkol, William E. Dowling, Merlin L. Robb, Deborah L. Birx, Francine E. McCutchan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

HIV-1 strains containing sabsubtype A2 are relatively rare in the pandemic but have been repeatedly identified in Kenya, where candidate vaccines based in part on subtype A, but not A2 strains, may be evaluated. Among the most recent is CRF16_A2D, a circulating recombinant form (CMF) whose prototypes are complete or partial IUV-I sequences from Kenya, Korea, and Argentina. Using samples from blood bank discards in Kenya and complete genome sequencing, this report further documents CRF16_A2D and related recombinants and identifies a second CRF, CRF21_A2D. The two A2-containing CRFs, and two recombinants related to CRF16_A2D, share common structural elements bat appear to have been independently derived. Concerted selection may have influenced the emergence and spread of certain A2-containing strains in Kenya. The second complete subtype C sequence from Kenya is also reported here. Monitoring of A2-containing recombinants and subtype C strains, both relatively rare in Kenya, may be informative in the course of cohort development and evaluation of candidate vaccines.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)695-702
Number of pages8
JournalAIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
Volume22
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2006

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