Genetic analysis of HIV type 2 in monotypic and dual HIV infections

A significant level of genetic variation among HIV-1 and HIV-2 has been des cribed, The interaction of specific HIV-2 subtypes with HIV-1 may serve to identify potential biological properties associated with dual infection. To genetically characterize the HIV-2 strains circulating in Senegal and thei r relationship to coinfection with HIV-1, we sequenced the HIV-2 envelope C 2-C3 region of 12 subjects coinfected with HIV-1 and HIV-2 and 9 subjects s ingly infected with HIV-2. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all subjec ts mere infected with HIV-2 subtype A, confirming its predominance in West Africa. We did not observe specific sequences or genetic clustering based o n coinfection status.