AEGiS-14IAC: Evolution of HIV-1 Molecular Epidemiology in Venezuela.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Evolution of HIV-1 Molecular Epidemiology in Venezuela.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. C10734)

Castro E, Moreno M, Deibis L, Salmen S, Berrueta L, Munoz JF, Echeverria de Perez G
Instituto de Inmunologia, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela

BACKGROUND: We previously reported the molecular characterization of HIV-1 M group among individuals from Caracas (Central Region or CR) and Margarita Island. The most prevalent subtype was B, also a subtype F and B/F recombinant were identified in two unlinked individuals from CR. We are now reporting data on new infected patients from CR plus the first survey on HIV+ individuals from the Andean Region (AR) of our country.

METHODS: As part of an ongoing HIV-1 variability surveillance project, we studied EDTA whole blood and epidemiological data from 63 individuals during 2001. Informed consent was obtained also. Proviral DNA was extraccted with QIAamp, qiagen é «, amplified by nested PCR using primers sets ED5/12; ED31/33 for env region and H1G777/H1P202; g17/H1Gag1584 for gag gen. HMA for env and gag regions, was performed as previously described with the NIH AIDS R & R.R.P.

RESULTS: CR sample (n=38) consisted of 11 women (28.9%) and 27 men (71.0%). AR sample (n= 25) consisted of 3 women (12%) and 23 men (88%). All were sexually infected. According to sexual practices among men, the highest one in CR was homosexual (44.5%), while in the AR it corresponded to heterosexual category (45.5%). Results of env/gag HMA showed a high prevalence of subtype B and two B/D dual infection patterns (CR 25; 38). We observed consistently the same result in different runs of env HMA performed with reamplified products, in gag HMA of CR 38 but not in the gag analysis of CR 25. Additionally 4/63 isolates (6.3%) showed indeterminate patterns on the env HMA. Two of which were identified as B subtypes by gag HMA. Only remaining 2/63 (3.1%) as indeterminate.

CONCLUSIONS: Although phylogenetic studies will be pursued to confirm HMA results, the finding of B/D dual infection patterns in two unlinked CR individuals is indeed consistent with previous results of our group showing subtype F and recombinant B/F also at this region and its absence in other geographical areas of the country

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV-1, Epidemiology, Molecular, HIV Infections, Evolution, Heterosexuality, Phylogeny, Prevalence, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Venezuela, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Human, Male, Female, genetics

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C10734