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- Detection of Large Numbers of HIV-1 Group M
Non-B Subtypes in New York City.
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- S. T. BEATRICE*, M. COLLIE, M. EL-FISHAWY, and
W. R. OLESZKO.
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- New York City Dept. of Hlth. (NYCDOH), NY.
Session 21. Poster Molecular Epidemiology of HIV-1 Sunday, 12:30-1:30 pm
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- Objective: To determine the prevalence of
HIV-1 non-B subtypes in persons born outside the U.S. living in NYC. Methods: In two
retrospective studies, remnant sera drawn for HIV-1 screening were tested for reactivity
to HIV-1 subtypes. HIV-1 antibody positive specimens from persons born in Africa, Asia or
South America submitted to the NYC DOH between 1993 & 1998 were screened by
investigational EIA's for peptides representing major HIV-1 subtypes and HIV-2. Results:
Between 1993-1997, 8,803 specimens were submitted from persons born in Africa. Of the 517
HIV-1 antibody positive specimens, 351 were reactive to HIV-1 non-B peptides. In a second
study, 51 of 5,513 specimens from persons born in Asia and 201 of 4,632 specimens from
persons born in South America were positive for antibody to HIV-1. Twenty-six of 51 (51%)
Asian specimens and 83 of 201 (41.3%) South American specimens were reactive to non-B
peptides. Based on these results, prospective subtype screening for these populations
began in 1999. Of 223 HIV reactive specimens, 140 had non-B reactivity. Summary: Of 992
HIV-1 positive specimens screened, 600 had reactivity to HIV-1 non-B peptides; 166 had
subtype A reactivity, 237 subtype C, 29 subtype D, 11 subtype E, and 7 subtype F, and 120
were mixed subtypes and 30 could not be typed. In addition, 56 specimens reactive for
HIV-2 were found. Conclusion: HIV positive specimens reactive to viral peptides other than
HIV-1 Group M subtype B continue to be detected in persons born outside the U.S. who
reside in NYC. Public health officials and practicing physicians should be aware of the
growing genetic diversity of HIV-1 in this country, particularly in areas with a sizable
immigrant population.
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