DETECTION OF DIVERSE HIV-1 GENETIC SUBTYPES IN THE USA

Of the nine genetic subtypes of HIV-1 that exist world wide, subtype B predominates in North America and Europe. Thus, most knowledge about HIV-1 and most vaccine development efforts are based on subtype B viru ses. We document here the detection of HIV-1 subtypes A, D, and E in f ive US servicemen who acquired these non-subtype-B infections during o verseas deployments. The dispersal of diverse HIV-1 subtypes into regi ons of the world with previously restricted genetic diversity may have important implications for the epidemiology of the epidemic and for t he design and implementation of vaccine trials.