- Discovery marks the first time a new subtype of HIV-1 has been
identified since 2000
- Abbott is making this new strain accessible to the research
community to evaluate its impact to diagnostic testing, treatments
and potential vaccines
ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Nov. 6, 2019
/PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today that a team of
its scientists identified a new subtype of the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), called HIV-1 Group M, subtype
L.1 The findings, published today in the Journal of
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS), show the role
next-generation genome sequencing is playing in helping researchers
stay one step ahead of mutating viruses and avoiding new
pandemics.
Since the beginning of the global AIDS pandemic, 75 million
people have been infected with HIV and 37.9 million people today
are living with the virus.2 Thanks to the work done by
the global health community over the past few decades, the goal of
ending the HIV pandemic is becoming feasible. Yet researchers must
remain vigilant to monitor for new strains to make sure testing and
treatments continue to work.
"In an increasingly connected world, we can no longer think of
viruses being contained to one location," said Carole McArthur, Ph.D., M.D., professor in the
departments of oral and craniofacial sciences, University of Missouri — Kansas City, and one of the study authors.
"This discovery reminds us that to end the HIV pandemic, we must
continue to outthink this continuously changing virus and use the
latest advancements in technology and resources to monitor its
evolution."
This research marks the first time a new subtype of "Group M"
HIV virus has been identified since guidelines for classifying new
strains of HIV were established in 2000. Group M viruses are
responsible for the global pandemic, which can be traced back to
the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) in Sub-Saharan Africa.3,4
The science behind genetic sequencing to discover new
viruses
To determine whether an unusual virus is in fact a new HIV
subtype, three cases must be discovered independently.5
The first two samples of this subtype were discovered in DRC in the
1980s and the 1990s. The third, collected in 2001, was difficult to
sequence at that time because of the amount of virus in the sample
and the existing technology.
Today, next-generation sequencing technology allows researchers
to build an entire genome at higher speeds and lower costs. In
order to utilize this technology, Abbott scientists had to develop
and apply new techniques to help narrow in on the virus portion of
the sample to fully sequence and complete the
genome.6
"Identifying new viruses such as this one is like searching for
a needle in a haystack," said Mary
Rodgers, Ph.D., a principal scientist and head of the Global
Viral Surveillance Program, Diagnostics, Abbott, and one of the
study authors. "By advancing our techniques and using next
generation sequencing technology, we are pulling the needle out
with a magnet. This scientific discovery can help us ensure we are
stopping new pandemics in their tracks."
Twenty-five years of tracking mutating viruses around the
world
As a leader in blood screening and infectious disease testing,
Abbott created its Global Viral Surveillance Program 25 years ago
to monitor HIV and hepatitis viruses and identify mutations to
ensure the company's diagnostic tests remain up to date. As part of
this research, Abbott scientists confirmed that its core and
molecular laboratory diagnostic tests can detect this new HIV
strain.
In partnership with blood centers, hospitals and academic
institutions around the world, Abbott has collected more than
78,000 samples containing HIV and hepatitis viruses from 45
countries, identified and characterized more than 5,000 strains,
and published 125 research papers to date to help the scientific
community learn more about these viruses. The study published
today, "Complete genome sequence of CG-0018a-01 establishes HIV-1
subtype L," is now available online.
To learn more about Abbott's virus hunting efforts, visit
www.abbott.com/virushunters.
About Abbott:
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more
fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing
technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading
businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices,
nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 103,000 colleagues
serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at
www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and
@AbbottGlobal.
References:
- Yamaguchi J, Vallari A, McArthur C, Sthreshley L, Cloherty G,
Berg M, Rodgers MA. Complete genome sequence of CG-0018a-01
establishes HIV-1 subtype L. Journal of Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndromes. 2019;
https://journals.lww.com/jaids/Abstract/publishahead/Complete_genome_sequence_of_CG_0018a_01.96307.aspx.
- Global health observatory (GHO) data: HIV/AIDS. World Health
Organization. https://www.who.int/gho/hiv/en/.
- Worobey M, Gemmel M, Teuwen DE, et al. Direct evidence of
extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960. Nature.
2008;455(7213):661-664.
- Faira NR, Rambaut A, Suchard MA, et al. HIV epidemiology. The
early spread and epidemic ignition of HIV-1 in human populations.
Science. 2014;346(6205):56-61.
- Robertson DL, Anderson JP, Bradac JA, et al. HIV-1 nomenclature
proposal. Science. 2000;288(5463):55-56.
- Yamaguchi J, Olivo A, Laeyendecker O, Forberg K, Ndembi N,
Mbanya D, Kaptue L, Quinn TC, Cloherty GA, Rodgers MA, Berg MG.
Universal target capture of HIV sequences from NGS libraries.
Frontiers Micro. 2018; 9(2150): 1-13.