The strains of HIV-1 can be classified into four groups.

 

The most important group, M, is the ‘major’ group and is responsible for the majority of HIV infections worldwide.

 

The other three groups are N, O and P.

 

They are quite uncommon and occur predominantly in Cameroon, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

 

The most prevalent of these subtypes is Group O which accounts for 2% of HIV infections in Cameroon.

 

By comparison, Group N accounts for only 0.1% while Group P is extremely rare and accounts for only 0.06% of HIV infections in Cameroon.

 

HIV-1 Group M gp41 does not cross react with Group O positive serum, and therefore inclusion of Group O variant of gp41 is important for the positive identification of HIV-1 Group O variant positive patients.

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