A new strain of HIV discovered in Cuban patients is worrying researchers. The HIV strain could turn to AIDS in as little as three years if left untreated, the Miami Herald reported.

International researchers published a study this past week after working with Cuban doctors and patients.

The HIV strain is a combination of three subtypes of the virus. Researchers at Belgium's Catholic University of Lueven said they worried that many patients might not seek treatment until it is too late.

These mutated forms of HIV could be more difficult to diagnose, South Florida AIDS researchers said. The group added the new forms of HIV could become resistant to therapy and make it harder to develop a vaccine.

Researchers studying the HIV virus are aware the virus can mutate and create new versions, according to Hector Bolivar, a physician and infectious disease specialist at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

More than 60 types of HIV strains exist in the world. The new one discovered in Cuba is worrisome to South Florida researchers.

"We knew that sooner or later we were going to face this locally,'' he said. "Cuba is local for Miami. We may see similar situations here in Miami in the future, and that's something I'm concerned about."

After hearing about the new strain of HIV in Cuba, a group of researchers traveled to the island to conduct studies.

The study found all of the patients infected with the new mutated strain of HIV developed AIDS within three years. A normal HIV strain turns into AIDS in six to 10 years.

Bolivar said the study done with only 95 HIV patients was not large enough to conclude data for the entire country.

Thousands of people in Cuba live with HIV, but this new mutation of the virus is particularly concerning to researchers.

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