Evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 serotypes in northern Tanzania: a retrospective study

• Published in: APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica et immunologica Scandinavica microbiologica et immunologica Scandinavica, 2008-06, Vol.116 (6), p.507-514
• Main Author: NYOMBI, BALTHAZAR M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genotype; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - chemistry; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - genetics; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - immunology; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 - chemistry; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 - genetics; HIV Envelope Protein gp41 - immunology; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - immunology; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1; HIV-1 - classification; HIV-1 - genetics; HIV-1 - immunology; HIV-1 serotypes; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infant; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; PEIA; Peptide Fragments - chemistry; Peptide Fragments - genetics; Peptide Fragments - immunology; Retrospective Studies; Serotyping; Tanzania; Tanzania - epidemiology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Virology
• ISSN: 0903-4641; 1600-0463
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2008.00996.x

The HIV-1 epidemic in Tanzania is characterized by the circulation of heterogeneous virus subtypes. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the changing pattern of circulating HIV-1 subtypes in northern Tanzania. A peptide-binding enzyme immunoassay (PEIA) was employed to analyse 305 HIV-1 positive serum and plasma samples collected between 1985 and 2005. Samples were serotyped using synthetic peptides representing HIV-1 genotypes A-E derived from consensus gp120 V3 sequences. Plasma samples collected in 2005 were V3 genotyped for comparison with PEIA results. In 1985, serotypes A and D were co-circulating while serotype C was first detected in 1990. In 2001 and 2005, serotype C was the most prevalent, serotype A was stable, and serotype D was declining. PEIA is relatively rapid and simple to perform compared to molecular approaches, and is a valuable epidemiological tool in regions with limited resources. HIV-1 classification into serotypes based on antigenic V3 diversity may be a useful screening tool for the identification of HIV-1 variants with regard to diagnosis, treatment, disease progression and candidate vaccine development.