Clarifying the origin of 2 out of 4 variants of HIV/AIDS virus

(Baonghean) - Recently, a group of international researchers announced the discovery of the origin of 2 out of 4 variants of the HIV/AIDS virus. Accordingly, the origin of these variant viruses comes from gorillas in southwestern Cameroon.

The origin of HIV/AIDS virus variants comes from gorillas in southwestern Cameroon. Photo: Internet

Recently, Martine Peeters – a virologist at the French Institute for Research and Development (IRD) and the University of Montpellier published findings on the origin of HIV/AIDS virus variants in the journal of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States (PNAS). The above findings were based on genetic analyses conducted on chimpanzees and gorillas in Cameroon, Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda,

Thanks to the work of Martine Peeters and colleagues, the origins of all human immunodeficiency viruses are becoming increasingly clear. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is known to have four groups: M, N, O, and P. Each has its own origin, but all are the result of transmission from monkeys to humans.

Several years ago, scientists identified groups M and N that spread from a chimpanzee in Cameroon. Meanwhile, groups O and P have not been clarified. According to research, group M of the HIV-1 virus is the most common type and has infected more than 40 million people worldwide. Group O is found in many countries in West and Central Africa with nearly 100,000 people infected. As for group P, scientists have only discovered 2 patients infected with this variant so far.

Scientists say that the HIV virus has been transmitted to gorillas in the Cameroon region in the natural process. Accordingly, it may have been transmitted during the hunting process of animals such as through bites, by eating meat or by contact with the fluids of an infected animal. From understanding the origin of the disease of the century HIV/AIDS, scientists believe that humans will find a cure for this disease that causes immune system deficiency.

Chu Thanh(According to LeMonde 3/3)