3-DCR NYC HIV Evolution Via Recombination
Recombinomics Commentary
March 5, 2005
>> Much of the spirited questioning from the floor was directed to David Ho. He said their limited and incomplete genetic analysis reveals "a swarm of highly related viruses," though he conceded it was possible that the virus was a product of recombination or secondary infection rather than a single infection. <<
The possibility of recombination is high, especially if there is a swarm of highly related viruses. Virtually all rapidly evolving viruses do so via recombination, including HIV, SARS CoV, and Avian Influenza including H5N1.
The concept of rapid evolution via recombination will gain widespread acceptance. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases was on NPR to give an update on evolution of H5N1 bird flu toward efficient human-to-human transmission, and mentioned recombination.
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