RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate genotypes and serotypes of HIV-1 variants in Russia, Byelorussia and Lithuania. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sera from 20 HIV-1-infected individuals were tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with 19 V3 synthetic peptides, and serum HIV-1 V3 RNA was amplified and sequenced. RESULTS: Sequence comparison of the envelope V3 region among specimens tested revealed a 2-29% range nucleotide divergence, with a mean of 19%. Phylogenetic analysis from the homosexual men were shown to belong to subtype B, and all of the heterosexually infected individuals to subtype C. Sequences from the parenterally infected individuals were more heterogeneous. IOn the peptide ELISA three reactivity patterns were found. Serum samples from six out of seven homosexual men showed reactivity to peptides p108 or p110 representing V3 amino-acid sequences found in US/West European HIV-1 isolates. Serum samples from six of seven individuals who had acquired HIV-1 through heterosexual contacts were reactive to peptide p169. Four out of six parenterally infected patients had peak reactivity to p168. CONCLUSION: Distinct HIV-1 variants were found in Russia, Byelorussia and Lithuania, which were introduced simultaneously in the mid-1980s. This diversity was shown to be associated with the route of transmission. Homosexual men appeared to be infected with subtype B and heterosexually infected individuals with subtype C HIV-1 variants. HIV-1 subtypes A, C, D and G were found among parenterally infected individuals.
PIP: HIV-1 variants show a relatively high level of genomic and antigenic diversity. This heterogeneity is particularly high in the V3 domain of envelope glycoprotein gp120, which is implicated in a number of biological properties of HIV-1, including cell tropism, infectivity, and cytopathogenicity; it is also a target for both humoral and cellular immune response. At least nine subtypes of HIV-1 have been identified. Subtypes A-H are phylogenetically equidistant and shown to be geographically associated with different subcontinents. Subtype B is most prevalent in North and South America and western Europe. Subtypes A, C, D, G, and H are found frequently in sub-Saharan countries, while subtype C is also found in India. Subtype E sequences have been found in patients from Thailand and Central Africa, and subtype F has been described in Romania and Brazil. This study reports findings from an investigation of genotypes and serotypes of HIV-1 variants in Russia, Byelorussia, and Lithuania. Sera from 15 HIV-1-infected men and 5 HIV-1-infected females were tested by ELISA with 19 V3 synthetic peptides with amplified and sequenced serum HIV-1 V3 RNA. Sequence comparison of the envelope V3 region among specimens tested revealed a 2-29% range of nucleotide divergence, with a mean of 19%. Distinct variants of HIV-1 were found in Russia, Byelorussia, and Lithuania, which were introduced simultaneously in the mid-1980s. The diversity was shown to be associated with the route of transmission. Homosexual men appeared to be infected with subtype B compared to heterosexually infected individuals with subtype C HIV-1 variants. HIV-1 subtypes A, C, D, and G were found among parenterally-infected individuals. These findings are based upon the three peptide reactivity patterns identified by ELISA. Serum samples from six out of seven homosexual men showed reactivity to peptides p108 or p110 representing V3 amino-acid sequences found in US/West European HIV-1 isolates. Serum samples from six out of seven individuals who had acquired HIV-1 through heterosexual contacts were reactive to peptide p169, and four out of six parenterally infected patients had peak reactivity to p168.