First Detection of a Cluster Novel HIV-1 Second-Generation Recombinant (CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC) among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nanjing, Eastern China

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> A large number of unique recombinant forms have been found in China in recent years. This study aimed to report on a cluster of novel HIV-1 recombinants. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We constructed phylogenetic trees using the maximum likelihood (ML) method with 1,000 bootstrap replicates in IQ-TREE 1.6.8 software and determined recombination break points using SimPlot 3.5.1. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall, 9 near-full-length genome (NFLG) sequences were reported in this study, including 1 circulation recombinant form (CRF)01_AE NFLG sequence and 8 highly similar novel HIV-1 second-generation recombinants composed of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC (CRF105_0107) isolated from a cluster HIV-positive male subjects infected among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Nanjing, eastern China. The phylogenetic analysis of NFLG showed 1 sequence named “nj16” to have at least 11 breakpoints inner virus and 7 other sequences to have at least 10 breakpoints inner virus. Our findings further showed as follows: first, this is the first time that a cluster of novel CRF105_0107 HIV-1 strains were identified among MSM in Nanjing, Jiangsu. Second, the Chinese “4a” cluster of CRF01_AE which mainly circulating in northern China has spread in Jiangsu for more than 15 years. Third, HIV-1 recombination events were active in Nanjing city, and novel recombinants could spread rapidly through some small-scale transmission networks. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The continued emergence of novel recombinant HIV-1 strains in Nanjing suggests dynamics and complexity in the HIV epidemic among MSM in Jiangsu province. Further investigations and molecular epidemiological research should be taken to monitor and understand transmission networks among MSM.

Genetic characterization of a novel HIV‑1 CRF01_AE/ CRF07_BC recombinant form found among men who have sex with men in Baoding City, Hebei Province, China

“…With CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC emerging as the dominant subtypes in China, the recombination diversity of the recently identified lineage of new 0107 unique recombinant forms of HIV-1 may be unimaginably high, threatening populations across the country. In China, CRF07_BC_N, CRF01_AE cluster 4 and CRF01_AE cluster 5 are prevalent mainly among MSM populations [10], and the high mobility, condom-free sex, and multiple sexual partners of MSM populations have led to the emergence of HIV-1 URFs in MSM populations [11][12][13][14][15]. HIV-1 recombination is a major way in which the virus evolves rapidly, increasing the fitness of the virus and helping the virus rapidly acquire drug resistance or escape the surveillance of the immune system.…”

Characteristics of the different HIV-1 risk populations based on the genetic transmission network of the newly diagnosed HIV cases in Jiangsu, Eastern China

“…It suggested that the epidemic of new subtypes should be monitored and considered as a key risk factor, regardless of the cluster size or number. CRF105_0107 was previously identified as a new recombination strain emerging among MMSC in Jiangsu [ 19 ]. Similarly, CRF55_01 B and CRF67_01 B also emerged from MMSC [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Transmitted drug resistance and transmission clusters among ART-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals from 2019 to 2021 in Nanjing, China

“…In this study, the distribution of HIV-1 genotype in Nanjing also changed over time. Since the first detection of a cluster of novel CRF105_0107 HIV-1 strains among MSM in Nanjing in 2017, the prevalence of CRF105_0107 has risen to 6.3% ( 28 ), indicating rapid transmission of CRF105_0107 among the population. The proportion of infection with CRF01_AE declined gradually, while that with CRF07_BC increased gradually.…”