HIV-1 genetic variants circulation in the North of Angola

Few molecular epidemiological data on HIV-1 in Angola are available. In this study, we analysed 37 pol sequences from patients originated from Luanda and Cabinda in Angola. It was our objective to investigate the circulation of different HIV-1 subtypes in this country. We found a high HIV-1 genetic diversity. The predominant subtypes were C and F, while subtypes A, D, G and H were also detected. Three sequences were untypable and may possibly belong to new subtypes or recombinants of unknown subtypes. Moreover, 13 recombinant sequences were found, most of them with very complex patterns including untypable fragments. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.