An African HIV-1 sequence from 1959 and implications for the origin of the epidemic

Article Abstract:

Viruses of different subtypes in the major group of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 show considerable genetic diversity. HIV-1 sequences pre-dating the recognition of AIDS could be essential in defining the time of origin of the virus in humans. Viral sequences from a 1959 African plasma sample, previously found to be HIV-1 seropositive, were amplified and characterized. Multiple phylogenetic analyses authenticate the case as the earliest known HIV-1 infection.

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Gene acquisition in HIV and SIV

Article Abstract:

A study has shown that the SIVsm/HIV-2 retrovirus contains two genes vpx and vpr in a single vif-tat region. Analyses of the virus ruled out the possibility of duplication before the initial radiation as well as the possibility of alternative rooting. The only plausible explanation for the existence of the vpr and vpx genes in SIVsm/HIV-2 is recombination. This can only occur if a single monkey was coinfected with the SIVsm/HIV-2 and the SIVagm viruses.

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Recombination in HIV-1

Article Abstract:

Phylogenetic analysis of the globally circulation strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reveals that these HIV-1 exhibit large genetic diversity. Two different groups, M and O, each having several sequence subtypes have been discovered. These viruses also exhibit a large variety of recombinant types among them.

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