Four new strains of HIV-1 discovered in Cyprus

A PhD student of the University of Cyprus in Cyprus, (south) has discovered four new strains of HIV-1 in the country.

The discovery was announced on Tuesday, Jan., 2, 2024.

In an article published in the biomedical journal Viruses on December 21, biological sciences researcher Çiçek Topcu and his team reported the discovery of the four new recombinant strains of HIV-1.

In a groundbreaking research publication titled “Comprehensive Genetic Characterization of Four Novel HIV-1 Circulating Recombinant Forms (CRF129_56G, CRF130_A1B, CRF131_A1B, and CRF138_cpx): Insights from Molecular Epidemiology in Cyprus,” released on December 21, 2023, in the biomedical journal Viruses, Çiçek Topcu, a doctoral student in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cyprus, in collaboration with a team of researchers, unveiled four new recombinant strains of the HIV-1 virus.

The University, in its statement, highlighted that this significant discovery emerged within the framework of Çiçek Topcu’s doctoral thesis at the Laboratory of Biotechnology and Molecular Virology at the University of Cyprus, under the supervision of the Head of the research laboratory, Academic Professor Leontios Kostrikis.

This research marks a milestone in the study of HIV-1, providing comprehensive genetic characterization for four new recombinant strains of the virus and detailed information on the genetic diversity and evolution of the infection in Cyprus.

The findings indicate that two out of the four new recombinant strains (CRFs) were introduced to Cyprus from other countries, emphasizing the global nature of the virus transmission, while the other two were locally created.

The current study highlights the complex dynamics of the virus evolution, underscoring the role of recombination in the emergence of these new HIV-1 strains.

As these genetic intricacies are explored, it becomes evident that the dynamic nature of viruses contributes to the creation of new recombinant strains, posing challenges and opportunities for the ongoing efforts of University of Cyprus researchers in understanding and combating infectious diseases.

In-Cyprus