D. Paraskevis et al., Molecular epidemiology of vertical human immunodeficiency virus type I transmission in Greece: Evidence of non-B subtypes, J HUMAN VIR, 2(6), 1999, pp. 339-343
Objectives: To investigate the subtype classification of the circulating vi
rus strains among human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected chil
dren in Greece.
Study Design/Methods: Since the beginning of the acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Greece in 1982, 23 children have been reported
to be vertically infected with HIV-1. Blood samples were available for 19 o
f these children, and the C2-C4 env region was successfully amplified by ne
sted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for 16 subjects. HIV-1 subtype was est
ablished by the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) in 16 subjects and confir
med by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis in 8 subjects.
Results: Most subjects (9; 56%) fell into subtype B. However, a substantial
proportion (44%) were classified as subtypes A (3; 19%), C (1; 6%), D (1;
6%), and I (2; 12%). According to epidemiologic information, 5 of 7 childre
n infected with non-B HIV-1 subtypes were born to Greek parents.
Conclusion: These findings clearly suggest that non-B strains have been int
roduced into Greece, providing evidence that HIV epidemic in this country w
ill probably change profile over time. In addition, subtype I was identifie
d in 2 HIV-infected children, both of whom were born to Greek parents. (C)
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.