Nature October 2008 PMID 18833279

Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960.

Michael Worobey, Marlea Gemmel, Dirk E Teuwen, Tamara Haselkorn, Kevin Kunstman, Michael Bunce, Jean-Jacques Muyembe, Jean-Marie M Kabongo, Raphaël M Kalengayi, Eric Van Marck, M Thomas P Gilbert, Steven M Wolinsky

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Mentions

68
Peak: 2 in Jul 2020
across 5 sources since Apr 2019

Extended reach

12,115
potential audience

Total likes

47

Video views

5,238

Mentions per month

Apr 2019 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News48 articles
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  • X / Twitter7 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Several discussions display high interest, such as referencing the extensive diversity of HIV-1 in the 1960s and its implications for early infection understanding. The tone alternates between scientific acknowledgment, like noting the importance of the research, and social discussions about conspiracy theories or the broader historical context, reflecting both respect for the scientific findings and skepticism or curiosity about their implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the findings, recognizing that the early presence and diversity of HIV-1 have important implications for understanding the virus's evolution.

InterestHigh interest

The discussions show high interest, often referencing the historical importance of the study and its implications for global HIV timelines.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants engage with the topic through referencing related research and debates about the virus's history, indicating moderate depth of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While some express that the findings could influence future research and public health strategies, the overall perceived impact remains moderate.

Abstract in brief

  • A research study analyzes HIV-1 sequences from a lymph node biopsy collected in 1960, which helps trace the virus's evolution significantly earlier than the AIDS epidemic.
  • The study showcases the importance of historical viral sequences, specifically identifying DRC60 as the first discovered HIV-1 sequence predating 1976, alongside the already known ZR59 from 1959.
  • Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the common ancestor of HIV-1's major group M existed at the start of the 20th century, indicating that HIV-1 diversity began long before AIDS was recognized.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Neo
@Neo_WhoCares · X

#ItsASin episode 2 offers up constant conspiracies, symbolic mugs, mass confusion, denial and danger and the distance of decades...so we discuss all that, along with Jill's characterisation, & more, here! https://t.co/aDzsCqwqsJ

Feb 4, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 216 followers View post →
Khram Señor Palmera
@NightHowl11 · X

@NeurologaenSAS Por cierto, cuando la vacuna oral fue aprobada por la FDA, el VIH tenía ya una gran variabilidad, imposible de conseguir en cultivos: https://t.co/cSgRCCSE98

Jul 30, 2020 · 3,751 followers View post →
WordsMatter
@millj919 · X

Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960 | Nature https://t.co/C1kuutfr2v

Feb 22, 2022 · 2,492 followers View post →
Carl Spackler
@kj20192 · X

@Erikbarry410509 @colin_dunlap Because the first HIV cases occurred well before the 1980s, and they have been reported on in numerous independent studies from multiple countries throughout the world. https://t.co/zR5fzED22Y https://t.co/I4KAVVTrnD https://t.co/mKAkxoI0nD

Apr 17, 2024 · 281 followers View post →
Fran
@Jarramelada1 · X

@NeurologaenSAS @NightHowl11 Worobey M, Gemmel M, Teuwen DE et al. Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960. Nature. 2008 Oct 2 ; 455(7213) : 661-664.

Jul 30, 2020 · 95 followers View post →
Israel Navas Duran
@IsraelNavasDur1 · X

@ItsMambaTime @Keith53707199 @AdamantAnarchy @nytimes — Worobey M et al. "Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960." Nature (2008 Oct 2) vol. 455 (7213) pp. 661-4 DOI: 10.1038/nature07390 https://t.co/OkO1C9E8US https://t.co/a2WNNDYR8H https://t.co/OOfvaEYRx7

Apr 7, 2019 · 33 followers View post →

All mentions

Elust Monk
@ElustM · X

@zoomafrika1 Worobey M, et al.. Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960. Nature. 2008 Oct 2;455(7213):661-4. doi: 10.1038/nature07390

Jul 12, 2025 · 8 followers View post →
Carl Spackler
@kj20192 · X

@Erikbarry410509 @colin_dunlap Because the first HIV cases occurred well before the 1980s, and they have been reported on in numerous independent studies from multiple countries throughout the world. https://t.co/zR5fzED22Y https://t.co/I4KAVVTrnD https://t.co/mKAkxoI0nD

Apr 17, 2024 · 281 followers View post →
WordsMatter
@millj919 · X

Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960 | Nature https://t.co/C1kuutfr2v

Feb 22, 2022 · 2,492 followers View post →
Neo
@Neo_WhoCares · X

#ItsASin episode 2 offers up constant conspiracies, symbolic mugs, mass confusion, denial and danger and the distance of decades...so we discuss all that, along with Jill's characterisation, & more, here! https://t.co/aDzsCqwqsJ

Feb 4, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 216 followers View post →
Fran
@Jarramelada1 · X

@NeurologaenSAS @NightHowl11 Worobey M, Gemmel M, Teuwen DE et al. Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960. Nature. 2008 Oct 2 ; 455(7213) : 661-664.

Jul 30, 2020 · 95 followers View post →
Khram Señor Palmera
@NightHowl11 · X

@NeurologaenSAS Por cierto, cuando la vacuna oral fue aprobada por la FDA, el VIH tenía ya una gran variabilidad, imposible de conseguir en cultivos: https://t.co/cSgRCCSE98

Jul 30, 2020 · 3,751 followers View post →
Israel Navas Duran
@IsraelNavasDur1 · X

@ItsMambaTime @Keith53707199 @AdamantAnarchy @nytimes — Worobey M et al. "Direct evidence of extensive diversity of HIV-1 in Kinshasa by 1960." Nature (2008 Oct 2) vol. 455 (7213) pp. 661-4 DOI: 10.1038/nature07390 https://t.co/OkO1C9E8US https://t.co/a2WNNDYR8H https://t.co/OOfvaEYRx7

Apr 7, 2019 · 33 followers View post →