Evidence for a “founder effect” among HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) in Pakistan.

Rai MA, Nerurkar VR, Khoja S, Khan S, Yanagihara R, Rehman A, Kazmi SU, Ali SH.

Citation

Rai MA, Nerurkar VR, Khoja S, Khan S, Yanagihara R, Rehman A, Kazmi SU, Ali SH. (2010) Evidence for a “founder effect” among HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) in Pakistan. BMC Infectious Diseases 10:7.

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 < 98% indicating a “founder effect”. Our data indicate that the HIV-1 epidemic in this community of IDUs may have been transmitted by an HIV positive overseas contract worker who admitted to having contact with commercial sex workers during stay abroad.

CONCLUSION: Specific measures need to implemented to control transmission of HIV infection in Pakistan through infected migrant workers.