Strain, which belongs to the Group N of HIV is much more similar to the type of virus found in chimpanzees which strains circulating in humans.

Diagnosed in France patients had recently traveled to Togo in West Africa, as reported scientists at the National Institute of health and medical research (INSERM) and the national centre of reference of HIV France.

The details of the case, that published in the medical journal The Lancet, reveal that this virus is now circulating in other countries.

“The discovery is very interesting,” informed the BBC World Professor Rafael Nájera, virologist expert in HIV and Professor Emeritus at the Carlos III Health Institute of Spain. “Find a new strain of HIV at this moment is little relevant, but the case is important because it indicates that the virus already left the country of origin and is necessary to have a better epidemiological surveillance”.

Groups

El HIV is divided into several groups. Most of the variants that affect humans belong to the Group M or, less commonly, to the group or. However, in 1998 documented the first case of infection from a virus in the Group N Рlinked to the virus of apes Рa woman who lived in Camer̼n.

Only 12 cases of this variant, including two couples infected with the same strains, all in that country have been identified since then. And in 2009 found a four group of HIV, designated group P, in a woman originally from Cameroon who lived in Paris

The diagnosed individual who lives in France had recently travelled to Togo and had sexual contact with a person tongolesa. Scientists describe the symptoms of the individual as “severe”, which included inflammation of glands, fever, rash and ulcers.

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As explained Professor Nájera, though it is a rare strain appears to be much more virulent than other variants, which is important for severe symptoms showed the patient.””This virus seems to have a very high pathogenicity because quickly in a few weeks it could impair the patient’s immune system” says the expert. “And analyses showed the presence of the virus from the first moment.” “Which reveals that he has important pathogenic characteristics”.

The patient, however, responded positively to the antiretroviral treatment that it was supplied as soon as the doctors diagnosed with HIV. Therapy, report researchers, showed “a good initial effectiveness”.

According to Professor Rafael Nájera, the case is important because it indicates that this rare virus is now circulating outside of Cameroon. “Most relevant here is that it has detected in a patient coming from Togo who does not belong to the well-known group of Cameroon, explains the expert to BBC world.

“This means that the virus has circulated to other countries.” “And although only 12 cases in Cameroon have been documented it is possible that there is now more cases in that country and has spread to other African countries.” “So now need to be explored is the transmission mechanism and what their pathogenic potential”, said the expert.

“And must also keep an eye on the possible development of resistance and sensitivity of this virus to different antiretroviral drugs” concluded.

Source: BBC News