In-utero transmission of quasispecies among human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genotypes

Virology. 2003 Mar 15;307(2):278-82. doi: 10.1016/s0042-6822(02)00066-1.

Abstract

Samples from infants infected in-utero by the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes A, C, D, and recombinants from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, were examined for the presence of viral genetic quasispecies. HIV-1 envelope diversity was measured on peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected within the first 48 h of life from 53 infants. Phylogenetic analysis of C2-C5 envelope nucleotide sequences was used for HIV-1 subtype classification. Forty-two of 53 samples (79%) showed a heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) suggestive of transmission of a single quasispecies, while 21% showed infection with multiple quasispecies. No differences among HIV-1 subtypes were found in the proportion of single to multiple quasispecies transmitted in-utero (Likelihood ratio test, P = 0.83), nor were differences found among single to multiple quasispecies transmitted and maternal viral load (Mann-Whitney test, P = 0.44). This suggests that differences in perinatal transmission between subtypes we previously observed in this cohort could not be associated with the likelihood for multiple independent infections during in-utero infections.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / transmission*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical*
  • Pregnancy