Scientists in Uganda study formation of hybrid HIV strains

	Tweet

David Kihumuro-Apuuli, head of the Uganda Aids Commission told reporters that although hybrid viruses also known as ‘recombinant’ viruses have existed in Uganda for years, scientists at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) are trying to investigate what leads to their formation.

“These recombinant viruses are not new HIV strains in Uganda; they have been seen over the last many years in our populations. What scientists at the Medical Research Council/UVRI are trying to do is to find out how this occurs and why are viruses recombining, “ he said.

In Uganda there are two major HIV-1 strains A and D that have been reported. There also some other strains such as C and B, though theses are in smaller numbers.

Studies have shown that these strains have combined to form for instance A/D or D/A.

Apuuli said that the findings of the study which will be released in 2012 will also indicate whether the recombinant viruses are resistant to drugs.

He said the results will also show whether HIV infected people are reinfected to form the recombinant viruses or whether they acquired the combination from the start.

The study is being carried out among fishing communities in Wakiso and Masaka districts on the shores of Lake Victoria.

Uganda has achieved success in reducing the HIV prevalence from 30 percent in the 1980s, to the current national average of 6.4 percent.

However, there are concerns the country is losing the HIV fight with evidence of stagnation in prevalence and rising new infections especially in married couples.

###
(Mathaba and Agencies)

RELATED STORIES:
FDA Advisory Panel Approves Home HIV Test Kit   FDA Approves New In-Home HIV Test   Home HIV test advances   Survey Reveals Support for Over-the Counter HIV Testing   F.D.A. Panel Weighs Preventive Use of H.I.V. Drug   Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Fight Against HIV   Progress against HIV thwarted by patients’ unmet needs   California to test pill for HIV prevention   Mechanism of HIV spread has potential for future drug therapy   Seeking HIV treatment clues in the neem tree   HIV Prevention Pill’s Value Varies by Target   Using AIDS drugs to prevent infection: a bargain?

Comments

[ + Post Your Own ]

Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not Armenian Medical Network's stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

There are no comments for this entry yet. [ + Comment here + ]