Mother-to-child HIV-1 transmission in Argentina: BF recombinants have predominated in infected children since the mid 1980’s.

M.GÓMEZ CARRILLO, M.M. AVILA,J. HIERHOLZER , M. PANDO, L. MARTINEZ PERALTA, F. MCCUTCHAN , J. CARR .

AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES

Mary Ann Liebert Inc.

Lugar: Estados Unidos de Norteamerica.; Año: 2002 vol. 18 p. 477 - 483

0889-2229

The molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Argentina is more complex than was previously appreciated. One circulating recombinant form, CRF12_BF, and many related BF recombinant forms predominate in the capital city, Buenos Aires. This study of HIV-1 subtypes acquired perinatally between 1984 and 2000 has permitted, for the first time, a reconstruction of the history of BF recombination in Argentina. Sequencing of a partial genome region from the beginning of vpu to the beginning of env(gp120), which spans a breakpoint common in most contemporary Argentine BF recombinants, enabled samples to be rapidly screened. Among 23 children born between 1984 and 2000, 15 including 1 child born in 1986, harbored a BF recombinant. Thirteen of the 15 recombinants shared a common breakpoint at the 5´ end of env(gp120). Full genome sequencing of two viruses, from 1986 and 1987, respectively, revealed them to be genetically related but not identical to CRF12_BF. Both contained more subtype B sequence than did CRF12_BF. BF recombinants related to CRF12_BF have been in circulation in Buenos Aires since 1986 and continue to predominate in perinatal transmissions.