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. 2024 Nov;132(11):824-831.
doi: 10.1111/apm.13474. Epub 2024 Oct 6.

Detection and characterization of HIV-1 group O and HIV-2 in the Central African Republic

Sandrine Moussa  1 , Paul Alain Tagnouokam-Ngoupo  2 , Fabienne Tombette  3 , Alexandre Manirakiza  1 , Yap Boum 2nd  1 , Guy Vernet  1 , Richard Njouom  2 , Laurent Belec  4 , Jean-Christophe Plantier  3 , Anfumbom Kfutwah  2
Affiliations

Detection and characterization of HIV-1 group O and HIV-2 in the Central African Republic

Sandrine Moussa et al. APMIS. 2024 Nov.

Abstract

The Central African Republic (CAR) is characterized by widespread HIV epidemic with notable prevalence and genetic diversity. We herein analysed the genetic diversity of atypical non-M HIV-1 strains. In-house serotyping assays for variants of HIV-1 (M, N, O, P) and HIV-2 were used to test a biological collection of 6092 HIV-seropositive blood samples collected between 2003 and 2014 at the Institut Pasteur de Bangui. Samples indicative of recombinant M/O groups, HIV-2, or those that yield doubtful/negative results underwent further PCR tests and sequencing. We found six atypical HIV strains: specifically, three (0.05%) HIV-1 group O strains (subtype H) detected in samples from 2005, 2008 and 2009, alongside three (0.05%) HIV-2 strains (two group A and one group B) identified in samples from 2007 and 2009. HIV-1/O strains showed a genetic link to Cameroon and Gabon strains. This study highlights the dominance of HIV-1/M in the CAR's HIV epidemic over time and underscores the infrequent occurrence of HIV-1 group O and HIV-2 strains. These findings validate the efficacy of WHO-recommended HIV testing protocols and emphasize the need for adaptive surveillance and management strategies to confront the complexities introduced by the genetic diversity of HIV strains.

Keywords: Central Africa; Central African Republic; Genetic diversity; HIV‐1 group O; HIV‐1 non‐M group; HIV‐2; Molecular epidemiology.

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