Genetic heterogeneity of HTLV-II infecting Italian drug abusers. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


Genetic heterogeneity of HTLV-II infecting Italian drug abusers.

Abstr Gen Meet Am Soc Microbiol. 1994;94:485 (abstract no. T-17). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASM94/94313096
Salemi M; Cimarelli A; Achilli G; Cattaneo E; Casoli C; Bertazzoni U; IGBE/CNR, Pavia, Italy.

Abstract: The infection of intravenous drug users (IVDU) by the Human T-cell Leukemia virus type II (HTLV-II) has been demonstrated in North America and in Europe, frequently associated to HIV-1. We have obtained from Italian IVDUs two isolates of HTLV-II, Gu and Va, and the characterization of their genomic structure by sequencing the entire LTR and env regions has shown that they belong to the HTLV-II subtype b. We have now extended our study to other isolates of HTLV-II from the same cohort of IVDUs by sequencing the entire env gene. The comparison with the env sequence of the American isolates Mo and NRA, prototypes of the IIa and IIb subtypes, clearly indicated that the new isolates, Bo and Md, belong to the HTLV-IIa subtype. The results support the existence of genetic heterogeneity within the HTLV-II group and suggest that both the IIa and IIb subtypes are present among the IVDU population in Italy.
Keywords: Base Sequence Comparative Study Genes, env Genome, Viral Human HTLV-II/CLASSIFICATION/*GENETICS/*ISOLATION & PURIF HTLV-II Infections/*MICROBIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION Italy Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid *Substance Abuse, Intravenous ABSTRACTKWDbasesequencecomparativestudygenes,envgenome,viralhumanhtlv-ii/classification/KWDgenetics/KWDisolation&purifhtlv-iiinfections/KWDmicrobiology/transmissionitalyrepetitivesequences,nucleicacidKWDsubstanceabuse,intravenousabstract
941030
M94A0858

Copyright © 1994 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1994. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1994. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .