Viruses are organisms subject to constant changes and evolutions. HIV , therefore, is not an exception. The discovery of a terrible new strain reminds us that we must not let our guard down on this disease.
The new virus has been identified by researchers from “Abbott Laboratories” and the University of Missouri in Kansas City. The profile was then traced in detail in the “Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes”.
The new discovery takes place 19 years after the last time. The scientific name of the new strain is ” CG-0018a-01“Genome sequencing adds the” L “subtype to the” hiv-1M “group. More than a discovery, this is confirmation given that scientists in 1983 and 1990 had come into contact with two Congo patients with a line.” of HIV other than those known at that time. Obviously, to give an official status regarding the existence of a different and new strain (also known as a subtype), the presence of at least one other verified case was required.
Through the analysis of a blood sample of 2001, always coming from the Congo, the experts managed to isolate the genome, sequencing it entirely and ending up confirming the analogies with that found in the two previous cases, thus defining the actual existence of a new subtype, for which no HIV/Aids treatments have been tested yet.
Scientists have not yet figured out whether an infection of this subtype is different in the evolutionary level of the disease. In other words, it is unclear whether this virus acts differently. Obviously, however, doctors say they do not panic, as this virus is anomalous and not very common. Furthermore, therapies with antiretrovirals seem to be effective also against the new strain.
What this discovery must focus on, however, is how important it is to monitor the evolution of the HIV virus and act with prevention to try to end its spread. To date, preventive diagnoses allow HIV-positive patients to live a normal life by following appropriate therapies and undergoing constant checks.