New HIV variant detected in the Netherlands, but no cause for alarm say experts

Researchers at Oxford University have discovered a previously unknown variants of HIV. It appears that the strain in question has been circulating in the Netherlands for decades but had, until this point, not been identified and classified. Their detailed report has been published in the journal Science.

As it currently stands there are two different Human Immunodeficiency Viruses in the world, HIV-1 and HIV-2. The former is considered to be the most common, and it accounts of 95% of all cases in the world. Within HIV-1 there are also four genetic groups, N, O, P and M - and within the group M there are further subtypes - such as subtype-B.

The team have classified the new variation as being closest to HIV-1 Group M Subtype B, and as such have named the variant “VB Variant” as an abbreviation for “virulent variant of subtype B”.

Features of the VB Variant

The report says that the VB variant is more virulent than the standard subtype B virus exhibits the following characteristics:

• Higher viral load (up to 3 - 5 times higher) in blood than other subtypes
• It is more transmissible
• It leads to a two-time faster reducing in the body’s protected CD4 cells

In the absence of treatment, people infected with the VB variant reach a CD4 count below 350 cells/μl on average within nine months, other strains take around three years.

Experts believe that the VB variant originated in the Netherlands in the 1990s, spread mostly in the 2000s and began to lose momentum from 2010 onwards.

There is no reason to worry

HIV experts say that the recent detection and classification of the new variant is not a cause of panic. Chris Wymant of Oxford University says that existing HIV antiretrovirals work just as well on the VB variant as any other strain, and that CD4 cells recover at the same rate as people living with other strains of the virus. There appears to be no higher probability of severe complications or death.

This new variant highlights the importance of regular testing and immediate commencement of antiretroviral treatment on diagnosis, as the VB variant has a much quicker impact on a person’s immune system than other variants.

“The detection of this variant confirms the importance of existing guidelines: people at risk of HIV infection have access to regular testing, which allows for early diagnosis with subsequent immediate treatment" concluded Wymant.