AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, November 17, 2003
Staff Medical Writers

"Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is in general established by CCR5-utilizing (R5) virus variants, which persist throughout the course of infection," scientists in the Netherlands explained. "R5 HIV-1 variants evolve into CXCR4-utilizing (X4) HIV-1 variants in approximately half of the infected individuals."

R.P. van Rij and colleagues at the University of Amsterdam "previously observed an ongoing genetic evolution with a continuous divergence of envelope gp120 sequences of coexisting R5 and X4 virus variants over time."

In a subsequent study, they examined the "evolution of gag p17 sequences in two patients who developed X4 variants in the course of infection."

"In contrast to the envelope gp120 sequences, gag p17 sequences of R5 and X4 virus populations intermingled in phylogenetic trees and did not diverge from each other over time," according to published results. "Statistical evaluation using the Shimodaira-Hasegawa test indicated that the different genomic regions evolved along different topologies, supporting the hypothesis of recombination."

"Therefore, our data imply that recombination between R5 and X4 HIV-1 variants occurs in vivo," the researchers concluded.

van Rij and coauthors published their study in Virology (Evolution of R5 and X4 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag sequences in vivo: evidence for recombination. Virology. 2003 Sep 15;314(1):451-9.

For additional information, contact H. Schuitemaker, University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, CLB, Department of Clinical Viroimmunology, Plesmanlaan 125, NL-1066 CX Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Publisher contact information for the journal Virology is: Academic Press Inc., Elsevier Science, 525 B St., Ste. 1900, San Diego, CA 92101-4495, USA.

The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of AIDS & HIV and Viral Genomics & Genetics.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

van Rij RP, Worobey M, Visser JA, et al., "Evolution of R5 and X4 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag sequences in vivo: evidence for recombination", Virology. 2003 Sep 15;314(1):451-9.

PubMED Related articles Search

031117
AW031108

Copyright © 2003 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright © 1980,2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.