HIV has undergone intensive study since it was first discovered in the 1980s. During the course of this study, it was determined that there are numerous strains of HIV, group Major (M) being the most prevalent. There are also many rarer strains, including group P.
Very little is known about this strain of HIV, as it is believed that only two people have ever been diagnosed with it. It was only recently discovered in 2009, and like groups N and O, group P Is believed to have originated in Cameroon in west-Central Africa.
Zoonotic diseases are those that can spread from animals to humans and vice versa. Certain strains of HIV can pass from chimpanzees to humans, including the Major strain that’s responsible for the worldwide AIDS outbreak. On the other hand, group P HIV is unique in that it can pass from gorillas to humans and vice versa.
Because so few people have experienced this strain, doctors are not totally sure of the best treatment approach. It is possible that the same medications used to treat other strains of HIV would also be effective against group P, but only time and more research can offer a definitive answer.