Full-length genome sequencing of HIV type 1 group O viruses isolated from a heterosexual transmission cluster in Senegal

In a polygamous marriage in Senegal, the husband and his two spouses were i nfected with HIV-1 group O. This study provides new full-length genome sequ ences for the two spouses (99SE-MP1299 and 99SE-MP1300) and the X-end LTR-t at fragment (6084 bp) for the husband (98SE-42HALD). Phylogenetic tree and diversity plot analysis revealed that the new viruses belong to HIV-1 group O and that they are closely related to each other in a cluster around ANT- 70. The intrafamilial transmission occurred at most 6 years ago. The interp atient variability was highest in the envelope region, and in some regions of the envelope the strains from the two spouses do not cluster together an ymore. The source of infection was in Cameroon and confirms a slow but cont inuous spread of HIV-1 group O viruses.