Agence France Presse (08.02.09)
French researchers have identified a human case of a new HIV subtype
that is closely related to gorilla simian immunodeficiency virus
(SIVgor). Until now, HIV strains in humans have been linked to similar
viruses in chimpanzees.
In 2004, soon after moving to Paris, a Cameroon-born woman was tested
for HIV. While HIV-1 diagnostic tests detected infection, the subtype
could not be determined. Her virus was genetically decoded and
computer-analyzed for comparison with other known HIV and SIV types.
The woman's infection was a "significant" match for SIVgor.
The new subtype shows no evidence of recombination with other HIV-1
lines, and it is distinct from the three previously known HIV-1 groups
M, N, and O, said the authors of the report. As such, the researchers
proposed designating the newly detected virus HIV-1 group P.
"The most likely explanation for its emergence is gorilla-to-human
transmission of SIVgor," wrote the report's lead author, Jean-
Christophe Plantier of the national HIV referencing laboratory at the
Rouen Hospital Center, and colleagues.
"For the time being, it's the closest source," said Marie Leoz, a co-
author also affiliated with the laboratory. "What is still quite
difficult, though, is to date when the first transmission of the virus
took place, because there are still very few gorilla strains that are
available."
SIV could have been transmitted to humans through a bite or through
blood exposure while butchering the animals for food, scientists
hypothesize. The prevalence of HIV-1 group P among humans is not
known, but it is probably rare, said Leoz. The infected woman has no
AIDS symptoms, is receiving treatment, and has a stable viral load and
CD4 count, she added.
The full report, "A New Human Immunodeficiency Virus Derived from
Gorillas," was published ahead of print in Nature Medicine (2009;doi:
10.1038/nm.2016).
French researchers have identified a human case of a new HIV subtype
that is closely related to gorilla simian immunodeficiency virus
(SIVgor). Until now, HIV strains in humans have been linked to similar
viruses in chimpanzees.
In 2004, soon after moving to Paris, a Cameroon-born woman was tested
for HIV. While HIV-1 diagnostic tests detected infection, the subtype
could not be determined. Her virus was genetically decoded and
computer-analyzed for comparison with other known HIV and SIV types.
The woman's infection was a "significant" match for SIVgor.
The new subtype shows no evidence of recombination with other HIV-1
lines, and it is distinct from the three previously known HIV-1 groups
M, N, and O, said the authors of the report. As such, the researchers
proposed designating the newly detected virus HIV-1 group P.
"The most likely explanation for its emergence is gorilla-to-human
transmission of SIVgor," wrote the report's lead author, Jean-
Christophe Plantier of the national HIV referencing laboratory at the
Rouen Hospital Center, and colleagues.
"For the time being, it's the closest source," said Marie Leoz, a co-
author also affiliated with the laboratory. "What is still quite
difficult, though, is to date when the first transmission of the virus
took place, because there are still very few gorilla strains that are
available."
SIV could have been transmitted to humans through a bite or through
blood exposure while butchering the animals for food, scientists
hypothesize. The prevalence of HIV-1 group P among humans is not
known, but it is probably rare, said Leoz. The infected woman has no
AIDS symptoms, is receiving treatment, and has a stable viral load and
CD4 count, she added.
The full report, "A New Human Immunodeficiency Virus Derived from
Gorillas," was published ahead of print in Nature Medicine (2009;doi:
10.1038/nm.2016).
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2 comments:
Thanks for this story, because it wouldnt make mainstream news..hmmm its interesting to say the least
JUST WHAT WE DON'T NEED...
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