New HIV strains discovered in Cyprus

New HIV-1 strains have been discovered on the island, researchers at the University of Cyprus (UCy) announced on Tuesday.

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.

The discovery is an important milestone in the field of HIV-1 study because it provides a comprehensive genetic characterisation of the four new recombinant strains and detailed information on the genetic diversity and evolution of the infection in Cyprus.

The findings indicate that two of the four combined new strains (CRFs) were introduced to Cyprus from other countries, highlighting the global character of virus’ transmission, while the other two evolved locally.

The research adds to understanding the complex dynamics of viral evolution, and the role of recombination in the emergence of new HIV-1 strains.

This discovery was made as part of Çiçek Topcu’s PhD studies under the guidance of his academic supervisor Professor Leontios Kostrikis.