Researchers have found a new strain of HIV in humans. Here is an edited clip from that paper:
<<The origins of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic have been traced to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where estimates place the emergence of HIV in the 1920s. Consistent with an early expansion of HIV in this region, strains from DRC exhibit broad genetic diversity and include all of the recognized subtypes, many circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) [recombinant = genetic material produced when segments of DNA from different sources are joined to produce recombinant DNA] , and an abundance of unique recombinant forms (URFs) and unclassifiable sequences. Current HIV nomenclature [choosing of names for things] guidelines specify that complete genome sequences from at least three non-transmission linked cases are required to establish a new subtype or CRF classification for HIV.>>
This paper in JAIDS had done just that. So now we officially have subtype L.
Source: Complete genome sequence of CG-0018a-01 establishes HIV-1 subtype; LYamaguchi, Julie BS1; McArthur, Carole MD2; Vallari, Ana MS1; Sthreshley, Larry PhD3; Cloherty, Gavin A. PhD1; Berg, Michael G. PhD1; Rodgers, Mary A. PhD1- JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes: November 06, 2019 – Volume Publish Ahead of Print – Issue – doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000002246
Appeared in NEJM journal watch November 8, 2019
Comments: As important as this discovery might be from scientific view point, it probably has no impact clinically – BA
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