Two of the four known groups of viruses that cause the disease have been traced back to the great apes that share about 98 per cent of their DNA with humans.
It had been known simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) - the monkey equivalent of HIV - had jumped from chimpanzees into humans, but now it seems gorillas in Cameroon also played a vital role.
Scientists say understanding the disease's origins will help predict the future risk of an outbreak.
The connection was uncovered after researchers analysed faecal samples collected in remote forests.
They found HIV-1 groups known as 'O' and 'P' originated in western lowland gorillas.
HIV-1 - the virus that causes AIDS - has jumped species to infect humans on at least four separate occasions.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2975954/AIDS-passed-humans-gorillas-chimpanzees.html#ixzz3Zn2fNIc8
─情報元：Daily Mail Onlineサイト様─
