The two-phase emergence of non pandemic HIV-1 group O in Cameroon

Leoz, M. et al. (2015) The two-phase emergence of non pandemic HIV-1 group O in Cameroon. PLoS Pathogens, 11(8), e1005029. (doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005029) (PMID:26241860) (PMCID:PMC4524642)

Abstract

Unlike the pandemic form of HIV-1 (group M), group O viruses are endemic in west central Africa, especially in Cameroon. However, little is known about group O's genetic evolution, and why this highly divergent lineage has not become pandemic. Using a unique and large set of group O sequences from samples collected from 1987 to 2012, we find that this lineage has evolved in successive slow and fast phases of diversification, with a most recent common ancestor estimated to have existed around 1930 (1914-1944). The most rapid periods of diversification occurred in the 1950s and in the 1980s, and could be linked to favourable epidemiological contexts in Cameroon. Group O genetic diversity reflects this two-phase evolution, with two distinct populations potentially having different viral properties. The currently predominant viral population emerged in the 1980s, from an ancient population which had first developed in the 1950s, and is characterized by higher growth and evolutionary rates, and the natural presence of the Y181C resistance mutation, thought to confer a phenotypic advantage. Our findings show that although this evolutionary pattern is specific to HIV-1 group O, it paralleled the early spread of HIV-1 group M in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both viral lineages are likely to have benefited from similar epidemiological contexts. The relative role of virological and social factors in the distinct epidemic histories of HIV-1 group O and M needs to be reassessed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This work was supported by the Institut de Veille Sanitaire, the Universitary Hospital of Rouen, the University of Rouen and the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun. FF is funded by a BBSRC studentship to DLR.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Robertson, Professor David
• Authors: Leoz, M., Feyertag, F., Kfutwah, A., Mauclère, P., Lachenal, G., Damond, F., De Oliveira, F., Lemée, V., Simon, F., Robertson, D. L., and Plantier, J.-C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Virus Research
• Journal Name: PLoS Pathogens
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1553-7366
• ISSN (Online): 1553-7374
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Leoz et al.
• First Published: First published in PLoS Pathogens 11(8): e1005029
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License