Abstract:
Reports on emergence of new strains characterize HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan
African countries. The distribution of these diversified strains is thought to follow
geographic and population dynamics. These HIV variants have been reported to have
distinctively regionalized endemicity. In Kenya, studies on subtype distribution have
been done in Western, Nyanza, North-Eastern, Rift Valley, Nairobi and Coastal
Provinces. However, this information in Central Province is lacking. This work reports
genetic diversities of HIV-1 circulating in the Central Province of Kenya. HIV positive
blood samples were collected from 8 health facilities in the province namely Nyeri,
Maragua, Kiambu, Thika, Kerugoya, Kikuyu, Tumutumu and Kieni Mission hospital. A
total of 96 samples were collected, 12 from each health facility. Part of the proviral
HIV-1 env gene (gp41) was PCR amplified and directly sequenced. Subtypes were
determined by sequence analysis using geographically diverse subtype reference
sequences as well as sequences of known subtypes from Kenya. Sixty eight percent (68
%) of the samples analysed were subtype A-1, 10% were subtype C, 12% subtype D,
while the rest were circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) mainly between C, D, G and
A. This analysis of HIV-1 strains demonstrated the predominance of HIV-1 subtype A-
1. Understanding the genetic diversity of HIV-1 in this region is important in
monitoring the spread of infection and developing effective control strategies. This pilot
study provides the basis for more expansive studies in determining HIV genetic
diversity in Central province of Kenya. It also sets the benchmark for future studies in
viral phylogeography.