Spatial discontinuities in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 quasispecies derived from epidermal Langerhans cells of a patient with AIDS and evidence for double infection

Abstract

A nonhomogeneous spatial distribution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 quasispecies was observed for epidermal Langerhans cells purified from skin patches taken from a patient with AIDS soon after death. Each patch presented a unique collection of sequences, distinct from those of juxtaposed patches or those derived from the other leg. Infection of Langerhans cells by virus from underlying T cells in the dermis might explain this partition. The analysis revealed the presence of two distinct cocirculating viral strains, indicating double infection.