HIV-1 Group N, a New Variant from Cameroon

French researchers reported in September 1998(Simon et al. Nature Med 1998; 4: 1032-7) the identificationof a new highly divergent HIV-1 isolatefrom a Cameroonian woman who died of AIDS in1995. As noted by the same authors in 1994 regardingHIV-1 group O (Simon et al. AIDS 1994; 8:1682-9), misdiagnosis of the new HIV-1 group Nvariant has occurred with the current commerciallyavailable serological and viral load tests. This findingis of particular importance for blood transfusionsafety.