Molecular Epidemiology of HIV -1 Infection in a Cohort of Ethiopian Factory Workers
No Thumbnail Available
Date
1999-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In this study, to investigate the molecular epidemiology of the HIV-I virus in Ethiopia, the
HIV -I gp 120 V3 loop and flanking nucleotides were amplified from viruses isolated frolll
the plasma samples of23 I-IIV positive participants in the ongoing EHNRI-ENARP cohort
project in Akaki and Wonji factories. A nested PCR DNA amplification protocol yielded
correct size products, as determined by agarose gel electrophoresis in 61 out of 75
(81 %)plasma samples collected between 1996-1999. Out of these 61 samples, 53 (87%)
were sequenced successfully and analysed. Phylogenetic analysis determined that all
V3 sequences are of the HIV-1 subtype C, the
most predominant in Ethiopia. Also, the V3 sequences derived showed lower intra-person
mutation frequencies than inter-person mutation fi•equencies. In addition, it could be
demonstrated that the Wonji and Akaki epidemics have a common origin and do not
originate fi'om separate introductions. Finally, the proportions of non-synonymous (dn)
versus synonymous (ds) mutations are variable per subject and are not dependent on CD4 counts or viral load.
Description
Keywords
Biology