PHA-Exchange> HYBRID CHIMP VIRUS IS SOURCE OF AIDS VIRUS

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HYBRID CHIMP VIRUS IS SOURCE OF AIDS VIRUS
>
> Results of a ten year study published in the journal Science have shown
> that HIV resulted from two monkey viruses that hybridised in the body of
> an infected chimpanzee.
>
> Scientists Professor Paul Sharp from Nottingham University and Beatrice
> Hahn from the University of Albama found that wild chimps became infected
> simultaneously with two simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIVs). These SIVs
> came together to form a third virus capable of infecting humans and
> causing AIDS.
>
> One implication of the research was that chimpanzees might again act as
> "mixing vessels" for other monkey viruses that could successfully adapt to
> spreading among chimpanzees and then jump to humans.
>
> The closest relative of HIV-1, the principal AIDS virus, had been
> established as an SIV that infects chimpanzees in Central Africa. The
> study discovered that the chimp virus was an amalgm of the SIV infecting
> red-capped mangabeys and the virus found in greater spot-nosed monkeys.
> Professor Sharp said that as chimpanzees eat monkeys, the hybridisation
> had probably taken place after hunting and killing the two smaller monkey
> species.
> SOURCE: The Independent (UK), 13/JUN/03