Many Unaware of a New HIV Strain Called VB Variant That is More Virulent and is Circulating in Europe
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 15, 2026 1 hour, 39 minutes ago
Medical News: A powerful HIV strain many people do not know about
A highly aggressive strain of HIV known as the VB variant is circulating in parts of Europe, yet many people remain completely unaware of its existence. Although scientists only publicly described the variant in early 2022, detailed genetic research revealed that it has actually been present for decades, particularly in the Netherlands.
Scientists warn that a highly virulent HIV VB variant has circulated quietly in Europe for decades
The VB variant belongs to HIV-1 subtype B but behaves in a far more aggressive manner than typical strains of the virus. Experts say its discovery is a reminder that HIV continues to evolve and that constant monitoring of new variants is essential for protecting global public health.
Scientists uncover a hidden cluster of infections
The variant was discovered during an extensive international genetic investigation led by researchers from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The study involved collaborations with several institutions including the Big Data Institute at the University of Oxford, Amsterdam University Medical Centers in the Netherlands, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, University Medical Center Utrecht, and the Dutch HIV monitoring foundation Stichting HIV Monitoring.
By analyzing the genetic sequences of HIV samples collected across Europe, scientists noticed an unusual cluster of cases where the virus appeared significantly more aggressive. Further investigation confirmed that these cases were caused by a distinct HIV variant now known as the VB variant, short for Virulent Subtype B.
This
Medical News report notes that genetic tracing suggests the strain likely began spreading in the Netherlands during the late 1980s and 1990s before being formally identified decades later.
Extremely high viral loads raise concerns
One of the most alarming characteristics of the VB variant is the extremely high viral load seen in infected individuals. Viral load refers to the amount of virus present in the bloodstream.
Researchers found that people infected with the VB variant had viral loads about 3.5 to 5.5 times higher than individuals infected with typical subtype B strains. Higher viral loads make the virus easier to transmit to others and can also accelerate damage to the immune system.
Because of this, individuals carrying the VB variant may unknowingly spread the virus more efficiently before diagnosis.
Faster destruction of the immune system
The study also found that the immune system of untreated patients infected with the VB variant deteriorates significantly faster than usual. HIV primarily attacks CD4 T-cells, which are crucial immune cells that help the body fight infections.
In patients carrying the VB variant, CD4 cell levels declined about twice as fast as in individuals infected with other H
IV strains. Without treatment, this could allow the infection to progress to AIDS in roughly two to three years, compared with the usual six to seven years seen in most untreated HIV infections.
Treatment still works but vigilance is essential
Despite the variant’s aggressive nature, scientists say there is important good news. Existing antiretroviral therapy (ART) treatments remain highly effective against the VB variant. Once patients begin treatment, their immune recovery and survival rates appear similar to those of individuals infected with other HIV strains.
However, researchers warn that early signals suggest the strain could potentially develop resistance to certain antiviral treatment combinations in the future if monitoring and treatment programs weaken.
The findings highlight the critical importance of early diagnosis, regular testing, and rapid treatment. Maintaining strong surveillance systems will be vital to detect emerging variants quickly and prevent them from becoming larger global health threats. Continued awareness campaigns and access to treatment will remain key tools in controlling even highly virulent HIV strains.
References:
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abk1688
https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2022-02-04-new-highly-virulent-and-damaging-hiv-variant-discovered-netherlands#
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00317-x
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmv.28154
https://www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/news/new-hiv-variant-discovered-in-holland
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Medical News.
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