HIV-1 genotype diversity and distribution characteristics among heterosexually transmitted population in Jiangsu province, China

Abstract

Background Heterosexual transmission has contributed greatly to the current HIV-1 epidemic in China. However, the HIV-1 genetic characteristics in the heterosexually transmitted population in Jiangsu province remained unclear. Methods A molecular epidemiological investigation on heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 was conducted across Jiangsu province. 301 HIV-1 patients infected through heterosexual transmission were involved in this study. The epidemiological information was investigated by trained staff via face-to-face interviews. Blood samples were taken from each patient, HIV-1 RNA was extracted from the plasma, and used for amplifying the gag and env genes followed by further products sequencing. The genotypes of HIV-1 were determined using phylogenetic tree analyses in the neighbor-joining method. Results A total of 262 samples were successfully taken for genotyping. The main subtypes which accounted for 90.5% of all HIV-1 strains are CRF01_AE (45.4%), CRF07_BC (21.4%), subtype B (12.6%), CRF08_BC (11.1%). Minor subtypes were also detected, such as CRF68_01B, subtype C, CRF55_01B, CRF02_AG and subtype A. Time trend analysis suggested the prevalence of subtype B and CRF08_BC decreased gradually, but the prevalence of CRF01_AE increased over time. A relatively higher prevalence of CRF07_BC in Central Jiangsu and subtype B were detected in South Jiangsu, while a relatively lower prevalence of subtype B and CRF08_BC were detected in Central Jiangsu. Conclusion Complex and unbalanced HIV distribution characteristics suggest that heterosexual transmission of HIV needs to be taken seriously. It is necessary to implement more effective and comprehensive intervention strategies for further control of HIV-1 dissemination.

Comparative Circulation Dynamics of the Five Main HIV Types in China

“…This CRF was first identified among MSM in Shenzhen, Guangdong (18,19). It has now spread throughout most provinces of China (20,61,62) although it mostly circulates in Guangdong and neighboring provinces, and across all risk groups (18). In line with this, our results point to Guangdong as main source of the dispersal to the western province of Anhui but also the adjacent province of Hunan ( Table 1).…”

Prevalence and determinants of virological failure, genetic diversity and drug resistance among people living with HIV in a minority area in China: a population-based study

“…The genotype of HIV-1 is related to the route of transmission, and there are differences in epidemic scale and distribution characteristics [16,17]. The HIV-1 genotype distribution had been described in parts of China [18,19]. However, little data is known about that in the highest HIV epidemic area of China.…”

The evolutionary and transmission characteristic of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC in Nanjing, Jiangsu

“…In Nanjing, a total of 3929 newly diagnosed HIV cases were reported in 2011‐2016, with the number of newly diagnosed cases increasing year by year 15 . Nanjing is the main HIV epidemic area in Jiangsu province, with a relatively high prevalence of CRF07_BC 16 . Because of the rapid increase of HIV‐1 CRF07_BC infection rate in China, there was critical importance to understand the current gene variation of circulating CRF07_BC strains in Nanjing.…”

“…15 Nanjing is the main HIV epidemic area in Jiangsu province, with a relatively high prevalence of CRF07_BC. 16 Because of the rapid increase of HIV-1 CRF07_BC infection rate in China, there was critical importance to understand the current gene variation of circulating CRF07_BC strains in Nanjing. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive phylodynamic analysis of HIV-1 CRF07_BC sequences from Nanjing, to reconstruct the epidemic history of HIV CRF07_BC strain circulating in this region.…”