High genotypic diversity and a novel variant of human cytomegalovirus revealed by combined UL33/UL55 genotyping with broad-range PCR

The known strains of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) represent genotypic variants of a single species, and HCMV genotypic variability has been studied in order to reveal correlations between different disease patterns and the presence of certain HCMV genotypes, either as single or as multiple infections. The methods used for the detection of HCMV genotypes have not always been sophisticated enough to achieve complete comprehensiveness, mainly because only one genotype is usually detected in a certain specimen, due to primer specificity and genome copy number. To improve detection of variant HCMV genotypes in mixed infections, we developed PCR assays with degenerate primers targeting two variable HCMV genes, glycoprotein B (gB, UL55) and the G-protein-coupled receptor gene UL33. Primers were designed to bind conserved sites in the genomes of HCMV variants and great ape CMVs. To analyse if samples contained one or more HCMV genotypic variants, PCR assays were supplemented with oligonucleotides containing locked nucleic acids. This broad-range PCR methodology and subsequent sequence analysis detected all gB/UL55 and UL33 genotypic variants known to date in primary clinical specimens, but also revealed that many samples contained genotype mixtures. Importantly, a novel UL33 genotypic variant could be discovered in several specimens, and one HCMV isolate was plaque-purified containing the novel UL33 genotype and a so far undescribed variant of gB

Preliminary Report on HIV-1 Vaccine Preparedness in Nigeria: Advantages of Recruiting University Students

The national HIV seroprevalence in Nigeria has risen steeply from about 3% in 1993 to 5–8% in 2001 and now stands at 4.4%. HIV epidemic continues to be a serious threat to the most populous country in Africa with a population of 140 million, with limited use of antiviral drugs that is taken for life since it only suppresses the virus without completely eliminating the virus or leading to cure. Only a change in social behavior and an affordable vaccine can halt the epidemic in Africa. We report here results of a pilot study on the recruitment strategies, sociodemographic aspects and HIV risk behavior of a cohort of normal volunteers recruited at the University of Jos, Nigeria. Our study recorded a high degree of interest and zeal to participate in HIV vaccine studies by volunteers, and demonstrated the superiority of snowballing over invitation by mail, as a recruitment strategy. A cohort of university students may be particularly suitable for conducting HIV vaccine trials because of the assurance of prospective follow-up for up to four years (time to graduation), and a good understanding of the risks and benefits of participation as outlined in the informed consent. We had 100% retention during a follow-up period of two years. Most importantly, the cohort reflected a relatively low HIV seroprevalence, which gives preventive programs the potential to blunt or halt the epidemic

Communication Preliminary Report on HIV-1 Vaccine Preparedness in Nigeria: Advantages of Recruiting University Students

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