investigator have name a novel subgroup of the human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) for the first clip in almost two decades . The discovery comes from samples collected during the last 30 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo .
As report in theJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome , the new strain is call HIV-1 Group M subtype L. Its being has been surmise for a foresightful time given studies of two samples , one pick up in 1983 and one collect in 1990 . To confirm the existence of a new strain , it ’s necessary to have three autonomous samples . A sampling collect in 2001 showed some bright similarities , but it was difficult to full sequence .
technical advance over the last few years have furnish researchers with the ability to get intact genomes faster and from belittled sampling . This finally permit this squad , mostly from health care company Abbott Laboratories , a way to quiz if the 2001 sample was truly evidence of a fresh straining . And it was .
" identify new viruses such as this one is like explore for a needle in a haystack , " co - generator Dr Mary Rodgers , head of Abbott ’s Global Viral Surveillance Program , say in astatement . " By advance our technique and using next - generation sequence engineering , we are pulling the needle out with a magnet . We ’re hit this new strain accessible to the research community to evaluate its shock to diagnostic testing , handling and potential vaccines . "
Discovering a novel strain of a virus is crucial in our fight against these microbes . New pains have the chance to duck spying in trial , to be resistant to current treatments , and stage another hurdle in the arduous road towards a vaccinum .
" This discovery reminds us that to terminate the HIV pandemic , we must uphold to outthink this ceaselessly changing computer virus and apply the late advancements in technology and resources to monitor its phylogeny , " cobalt - author Professor Carole McArthur , from the University of Missouri – Kansas City , contribute .
It is estimate that 75 million people have contracted HIV worldwide and 32 million people have cash in one’s chips . give admittance to the most recent treatments , citizenry with HIV can subsist as long as those without the virus . People on effective antiretroviral therapy ( ART ) who reach anundetected viral burden can not sexually transmitthe virus to an HIV - negative partner . It is also important to know that HIV can be prevented through drugs such as pre - exposure prophylaxis ( PrEP ) .
While both ART and PrEP have been invaluable in the fight against the virus , it is important to remember that the challenges to fight the pandemic are not just aesculapian but also societal . Hurdles such as social stigma , inadequate access to health systems , monetary value of treatments , impoverishment , racism , homophobia , biphobia , transphobia , and criminalisation of people with HIV continue to stop mass from receiving the care they merit .
[ H / T : Scientific American ]
