BMC Infectious Diseases (Jan 2010)

Evidence for a "Founder Effect" among HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) in Pakistan

  • Yanagihara Richard,
  • Khan Saeed,
  • Khoja Suhail,
  • Nerurkar Vivek R,
  • Rai Mohammad A,
  • Rehman Arish,
  • Kazmi Shahana U,
  • Ali Syed H

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-10-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 1
p. 7

Abstract

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Abstract Background We have previously reported a HIV-1 subtype A infection in a community of injection drug users (IDUs) in Karachi, Pakistan. We now show that this infection among the IDUs may have originated from a single source. Methods Phylogenetic analysis was performed of partial gag sequences, generated using PCR, from 26 HIV-positive IDU samples. Results Our results showed formation of a tight monophyletic group with an intra-sequence identity of Conclusion Specific measures need to implemented to control transmission of HIV infection in Pakistan through infected migrant workers.