HIV-1 Non-group M in Cameroon : Study of Genotypic and Phylogenetic Diversity (OBSOCAM)

HIV-1 is divided four distinct groups: M (major) which represents the pandemic strains while others groups O (outlier), N (non M, non O) and P are called non-M variants. Group O (HIV-O) is more divergent, endemic in Central Africa and Cameroon, where it represents about 1% of HIV infections. These variants are characterized by an important genetic divergence from pandemic HIV-1 group M (HIV-M), which impacts on the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of infected patients. Although discovered in 1990, and emerged at the same time as HIV-M, no data of epidemiology, natural history and evolution of the genetic diversity of these variants is currently available. The few knowledge available to date come from sporadic cases, mainly through studies in Yaoundé. It is therefore essential to improve current knowledge on these variants and their consequences on infected patients.

The aim of the study is to study the genotypic characteristics of HIV-1 non-M circulating in the whole Cameroon and their genetic evolution.

Inclusion criteria

• All available samples tested positive for HIV during the national Health survey of Cameroon in 2011 And 2018
• All Individuals who came to Centre Pasteur in Yaoundé or Garoua for HIV screening or viral load monitoring.

Exclusion criteria

• Insufficient quantity or degraded Dried Blood Spot samples
• All HIV-positive individuals aged less than 21 years, infected with a Group M HIV-1 virus, or those who refused to participate in the study