Phylodynamic analysis of the dissemination of HIV-1 CRF01_AE in Vietnam

Abstract

To estimate the epidemic history of HIV-1 CRF01_AE in Vietnam and adjacent Guangxi, China, we determined near full-length nucleotide sequences of CRF01_AE from a total of 33 specimens collected in 1997-1998 from different geographic regions and risk populations in Vietnam. Phylogenetic and Bayesian molecular clock analyses were performed to estimate the date of origin of CRF01_AE lineages. Our study reconstructs the timescale of CRF01_AE expansion in Vietnam and neighboring regions and suggests that the series of CRF01_AE epidemics in Vietnam arose by the sequential introduction of founder strains into new locations and risk groups. CRF01_AE appears to have been present among heterosexuals in South-Vietnam for more than a decade prior to its epidemic spread in the early 1990s. In the late 1980s, the virus spread to IDUs in Southern Vietnam and subsequently in the mid-1990s to IDUs further north. Our results indicate the northward dissemination of CRF01_AE during this time.

Emergence in Japan of an HIV-1 Variant Associated with Transmission among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in China: First Indication of the International Dissemination of the Chinese MSM Lineage

“…The estimated evolutionary rates were 2.81 (95% HPD, 2.42 to 3.22) ϫ 10 Ϫ3 and 1.81 (1.46 to 2.15) ϫ 10 Ϫ3 substitutions/site/year for CRF01_AE and subtype B, respectively. The results were essentially similar to those previously estimates for CRF01_AE and subtype B (31,36,37).…”

“…1A). The clusters CN.MSM.01-1 and CN.MSM.01-2 were also distinct from the previously reported CRF01_AE clusters identified among MSM in Singapore (designated SG.MSM.01-1 and SG.MSM.01-2 here) (29), IDUs in Northern Vietnam (VN) and Guangxi (GX) in southeastern China (designated VN-GX.IDU.01), and IDUs/heterosexuals in Guangxi (designated GX.01) (30)(31)(32), as shown in Fig. 1A.…”

Reconstituting the Epidemic History of HIV Strain CRF01_AE among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Liaoning, Northeastern China: Implications for the Expanding Epidemic among MSM in China

“…The dates of the common ancestor of the African CRF01_AE, Thailand CRF01_AE, CRF01_AE clusters 1 and 2, and LN subcluster 1 were estimated to be 1973. The results of temporal and spatial dynamics analyses show that the two clusters both rooted within the Thai sequences and derived from a common ancestor that existed in Thai in 1979, which was essentially similar to the previous estimations (19). Furthermore, we found these two CRF01_AE clusters were independently introduced into the Chinese population of MSM.…”

Molecular Evolution of the HIV-1 Thai Epidemic between the Time of RV144 Immunogen Selection to the Execution of the Vaccine Efficacy Trial

“…While most of the recombinants were URFs, a new CRF, CRF15_01B, was found throughout the country among individuals with either risk factor, reinforcing the linkage between the different epidemics in Thailand (31,32). Finally, the connection of the Thai HIV-1 epidemic with other epidemics in the region, through travel and trafficking of drugs and persons, has been reflected in the genetic relatedness of Thai strains to those from other countries in the Golden Triangle (i.e., a major illicit opium-producing area spanning Myanmar [Burma], Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand) (34,35) and China (36). Subtypes A, C, D, and CRF02_AG-which are more common in African epidemics-have been detected sporadically (37)(38)(39); however, to date there have been no indications that these strains have spread locally.…”