Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in immigrant population in northern Italy

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is characterised by a vast genetic diversity classified into distinct phylogenetic strains and recombinant forms. We describe the HIV-1 molecular epidemiology and evolution of 129 consecutive HIV-1 positive migrants living in Milan (northern Italy). Polymerase gene sequences of 116 HIV-1 subtype-B positive patients were aligned with HIV-1 reference sequences (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) by using MAFFT alignment and edited by using Bioedit software. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree was performed by MEGA7 and was visualised by using FigTree v1.4.3. Of 129 migrants, 35 were born in Europe (28 in Eastern Europe), 70 in the Americas (67 in South America), 15 in Africa and nine in Asia; 76.4% were men who have sex with men (MSM). The serotype HIV-1-B prevailed (89.9%), followed by -C, -F1, -D and -A. Compared with 116 HIV-B patients, the 13 with HIV-non-B showed lower Nadir of CD4+ cell/mmc (P = 0.043), more frequently had sub Saharan origin (38.5 vs. 1.72%, P = 0.0001) and less frequently were MSM (40 vs. 74.5%, P = 0.02). The ML phylogenetic tree of the 116 HIV-1 subtype-B positive patients showed 13 statistically supported nodes (bootstrap > 70%). Most of the sequences included in these nodes have been isolated from male patients from the Americas and the most common risk factor was MSM. The low number of HIV-1 non-B subtype patients did not allow to perform this analysis. These results suggest a shift of HIV-1 prevention projects' focus and a continuous monitoring of HIV-1 molecular epidemiology among entry populations. Prevention efforts based on HIV molecular epidemiology may improve public health surveillance setting.

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New Subtype B Containing HIV-1 Circulating Recombinant of sub-Saharan Africa Origin in Nigerian Men Who Have Sex With Men

JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes ◽

10.1097/qai.0000000000002076 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 81 (5) ◽

pp. 578-584 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Erik Billings ◽

Gustavo H. Kijak ◽

Eric Sanders-Buell ◽

Nicaise Ndembi ◽

Anne Marie OʼSullivan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Subtype B ◽

Nigerian Men ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv 1

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Molecular Epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Transmission in a Heterosexual Cohort of Discordant Couples in Zambia

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.76.1.397-405.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 76 (1) ◽

pp. 397-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 118

Author(s):

Stanley A. Trask ◽

Cynthia A. Derdeyn ◽

Ulgen Fideli ◽

Yalu Chen ◽

Sreelatha Meleth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽

Virus Type ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Discordant Couples ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Most human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmissions in sub-Saharan Africa are believed to occur between married adults who are discordant for their HIV-1 infection status; however, no studies to date have investigated the molecular epidemiology of such transmission events. Here we report the genetic characterization of HIV-1 strains from 149 transmission pairs that were identified prospectively in a cohort of discordant couples in Lusaka, Zambia. Subgenomic gag, gp120, gp41, and/or long terminal repeat regions were amplified by PCR analysis of uncultured blood samples from both partners and sequenced without interim cloning. Pairwise genetic distances were calculated for the regions analyzed and compared to those of subtype-specific reference sequences as well as local controls. Sequence relationships were also examined by phylogenetic tree analysis. By these approaches, epidemiological linkage was established for the majority of transmission pairs. Viruses from 129 of the 149 couples (87%) were very closely related and clustered together in phylogenetic trees in a statistically highly significant manner. In contrast, viruses from 20 of the 149 couples (13%) were only distantly related in two independent genomic regions, thus ruling out transmission between the two partners. The great majority (95%) of transmitted viruses were of subtype C origin, although representatives of subtypes A, D, G, and J were also identified. There was no evidence for extensive transmission networks within the cohort, although two phylogenetic subclusters of viruses infecting two couples each were identified. Taken together, these data indicate that molecular epidemiological analyses of presumed transmission pairs are both feasible and required to determine behavioral, virological, and immunological correlates of heterosexual transmission in sub-Saharan Africa with a high level of accuracy.

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Molecular Epidemiology of the HIV-1 Subtype B Sub-Epidemic in Bulgaria

Viruses ◽

10.3390/v12040441 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 441

Author(s):

Ivailo Alexiev ◽

Ellsworth M. Campbell ◽

Sergey Knyazev ◽

Yi Pan ◽

Lyubomira Grigorova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Linkage To Care ◽

High Risk Behaviors ◽

Network Analyses ◽

Antiretroviral Drug Resistance ◽

Subtype B ◽

Recent Transmission ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Large Clusters ◽

Hiv 1

HIV-1 subtype B is the predominant strain in Bulgaria, yet little is known about the molecular epidemiology of these infections, including its origin and transmissibility. We used a phylodynamics approach by combining and analyzing 663 HIV-1 polymerase (pol) sequences collected from persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 1988–2018 and associated epidemiologic data to better understand this sub-epidemic in Bulgaria. Using network analyses at a 1.5% genetic distance threshold (d) we found several large phylogenetic clusters composed mostly of men who have sex with men (MSM) and male heterosexuals (HET). However, at d = 0.5%, used to identify more recent transmission, the largest clusters dissociated to become smaller in size. The majority of female HET and persons with other transmission risks were singletons or pairs in the network. Phylogenetic analysis of the Bulgarian pol sequences with publicly available global sequences showed that subtype B was likely introduced into Bulgaria from multiple countries, including Israel and several European countries. Our findings indicate that subtype B was introduced into Bulgaria multiple times since 1988 and then infections rapidly spread among MSM and non-disclosed MSM. These high-risk behaviors continue to spread subtype B infection in Bulgaria as evidenced by the large clusters at d = 0.5%. Relatively low levels of antiretroviral drug resistance were observed in our study. Prevention strategies should continue to include increased testing and linkage to care and treatment, as well as expanded outreach to the MSM communities.

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022 A heterosexual outbreak in Doncaster involving subtype B of HIV-1: molecular epidemiology as a supplement to contact tracing

HIV Medicine ◽

10.1046/j.1468-1293.2000.00024-43.x ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 172-172

Author(s):

A Hayman ◽

T Moss ◽

C Arnold ◽

l Naylor-Adamson ◽

J Hawkswell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Contact Tracing ◽

Subtype B ◽

Hiv 1

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Frequency of Cytomegalovirus Viral Load in Iranian Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Infected Patients with CD4+ Counts <100 Cells/mm3

Intervirology ◽

10.1159/000514385 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Mohammad Reza Jabbari ◽

Hoorieh Soleimanjahi ◽

Somayeh Shatizadeh Malekshahi ◽

Mohammad Gholami ◽

Leila Sadeghi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Viral Load ◽

Cell Count ◽

Previous History ◽

Cd4 Count ◽

Cd4 Cell Count ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Cd4 Cell ◽

Hiv 1

Objectives: The aim of present work was to assess cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia in Iranian human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected patients with a CD4+ count <100 cells/mm3 and to explore whether CMV DNA loads correlate with CD4+ cell counts or associated retinitis. Methods: This study was conducted at the AIDS research center in Iran on HIV-1-infected patients with CD4+ count <100 cells/mm3, antiretroviral therapy-naive, aged ≥18 years with no previous history of CMV end-organ disease (CMV-EOD). Results: Thirty-nine of 82 patients (47.56%) had detectable CMV viral load ranging from 66 to 485,500 IU/mL. CMV viral load in patients with retinitis ranges from 352 to 2,720 IU/mL, and it was undetectable in 2 patients. No significant associations between CMV viremia and CD4+ cell count was found (p value = 0.31), whereas significant association of CMV viremia in HIV-infected patients with retinitis was found (p < 0.02). Conclusions: We estimated the frequency of CMV viral load infection in Iranian HIV-1-infected patients with a CD4+ cell count <100 mm3/mL in the largest national referral center for HIV-1 infection in Iran. Further research is required on the relevance of CMV viral load in diagnostic and prognostic value of CMV-EOD.

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Efficiencies of Four Versions of the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Test for Quantification of Different Subtypes of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

Journal of Clinical Microbiology ◽

10.1128/jcm.37.1.110-116.1999 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 37 (1) ◽

pp. 110-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

K. Triques ◽

J. Coste ◽

J. L. Perret ◽

C. Segarra ◽

E. Mpoudi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Viral Load ◽

Pcr Primers ◽

Load Test ◽

Subtype C ◽

Subtype B ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Subtype A ◽

Hiv 1

Three versions of a commercial human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (HIV-1) load test (the AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Test versions 1.0, 1.0+, and 1.5; Roche Diagnostics, Branchburg, N.J.) were evaluated for their ability to detect and quantify HIV-1 RNA of different genetic subtypes. Plasma samples from 96 patients infected with various subtypes of HIV-1 (55 patients infected with subtype A, 9 with subtype B, 21 with subtype C, 2 with subtype D, 7 with subtype E, and 2 with subtype G) and cultured virus from 29 HIV-1 reference strains (3 of subtype A, 6 of subtype B, 5 of subtype C, 3 of subtype D, 8 of subtype E, 3 of subtype F, and 1 of subtype G) were tested. Detection of subtypes A and E was significantly improved with versions 1.0+ and 1.5 compared to that with version 1.0, whereas detection of subtypes B, C, D, and G was equivalent with the three versions. Versions 1.0, 1.0+, and 1.5 detected 65, 98, and 100% of the subtype A-infected samples from patients, respectively, and 71, 100, and 100% of the subtype E-infected samples from patients, respectively. Version 1.5 yielded a significant increase in viral load for samples infected with subtypes A and E (greater than 1 log10 HIV RNA copies/ml). For samples infected with subtype B, C, and D and tested with version 1.5, only a slight increase in viral load was observed (<0.5 log10). We also evaluated a prototype automated version of the test that uses the same PCR primers as version 1.5. The results with the prototype automated test were highly correlated with those of the version 1.5 test for all subtypes, but were lower overall. The AMPLICOR HIV-1 MONITOR Test, version 1.5, yielded accurate measurement of the HIV load for all HIV-1 subtypes tested, which should allow the test to be used to assess disease prognosis and response to antiretroviral treatment in patients infected with a group M HIV-1 subtype.

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Use of Coreceptors Other Than CCR5 by Non-Syncytium-Inducing Adult and Pediatric Isolates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Is Rare In Vitro

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.72.11.9337-9344.1998 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 72 (11) ◽

pp. 9337-9344 ◽

Cited By ~ 106

Author(s):

Yi-jun Zhang ◽

Tatjana Dragic ◽

Yunzhen Cao ◽

Leondios Kostrikis ◽

Douglas S. Kwon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type ◽

Virus Type ◽

Viral Entry ◽

Infected Infant ◽

Subtype B ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Hiv 1

ABSTRACT We have tested a panel of pediatric and adult human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) primary isolates for the ability to employ the following proteins as coreceptors during viral entry: CCR1, CCR2b, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR8, CXCR4, Bonzo, BOB, GPR1, V28, US28, and APJ. Most non-syncytium-inducing isolates could utilize only CCR5. All syncytium-inducing viruses used CXCR4, some also employed V28, and one (DH123) used CCR8 and APJ as well. A longitudinal series of HIV-1 subtype B isolates from an infected infant and its mother utilized Bonzo efficiently, as well as CCR5. The maternal isolates, which were syncytium inducing, also used CXCR4, CCR8, V28, and APJ.

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A Randomized Switch From Nevirapine-Based Antiretroviral Therapy to Single Tablet Rilpivirine/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Virologically Suppressed Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1-Infected Rwandans

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofw141 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Sean E. Collins ◽

Philip M. Grant ◽

Francois Uwinkindi ◽

Annie Talbot ◽

Eric Seruyange ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Antiretroviral Therapy ◽

Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Current Therapy ◽

Virologic Suppression ◽

Open Label ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Hiv 1

Abstract Background. Many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients remain on nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) despite safety and efficacy concerns. Switching to a rilpivirine-based regimen is an alternative, but there is little experience with rilpivirine in sub-Saharan Africa where induction of rilpivirine metabolism by nevirapine, HIV subtype, and dietary differences could potentially impact efficacy. Methods. We conducted an open-label noninferiority study of virologically suppressed (HIV-1 ribonucleic acid [RNA] < 50 copies/mL) HIV-1-infected Rwandan adults taking nevirapine plus 2 nucleos(t)ide reverse-transcriptase inhibitors. One hundred fifty participants were randomized 2:1 to switch to coformulated rilpivirine-emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (referenced as the Switch Arm) or continue current therapy. The primary efficacy endpoint was HIV-1 RNA < 200 copies/mL at week 24 assessed by the US Food and Drug Administration Snapshot algorithm with a noninferiority margin of 12%. Results. Between April and September 2014, 184 patients were screened, and 150 patients were enrolled; 99 patients switched to rilpivirine-emtricitabine-tenofovir, and 51 patients continued their nevirapine-based ART. The mean age was 42 years and 43% of participants were women. At week 24, virologic suppression (HIV-1 RNA level <200 copies/mL) was maintained in 93% and 92% in the Switch Arm versus the continuation arm, respectively. The Switch Arm was noninferior to continued nevirapine-based ART (efficacy difference 0.8%; 95% confidence interval, −7.5% to +12.0%). Both regimens were generally safe and well tolerated, although 2 deaths, neither attributed to study medications, occurred in participants in the Switch Arm. Conclusions. A switch from nevirapine-based ART to rilpivirine-emtricitabine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate had similar virologic efficacy to continued nevirapine-based ART after 24 weeks with few adverse events.

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Removal of a Single N-Linked Glycan in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 gp120 Results in an Enhanced Ability To Induce Neutralizing Antibody Responses

Journal of Virology ◽

10.1128/jvi.01691-07 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 82 (2) ◽

pp. 638-651 ◽

Cited By ~ 127

Author(s):

Yun Li ◽

Bradley Cleveland ◽

Igor Klots ◽

Bruce Travis ◽

Barbra A. Richardson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Neutralizing Antibodies ◽

Neutralizing Antibody ◽

Pronounced Increase ◽

Enhanced Sensitivity ◽

Subtype B ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Hiv 1

ABSTRACT Glycans on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) envelope protein play an important role in infection and evasion from host immune responses. To examine the role of specific glycans, we introduced single or multiple mutations into potential N-linked glycosylation sites in hypervariable regions (V1 to V3) of the env gene of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) 89.6. Three mutants tested showed enhanced sensitivity to soluble CD4. Mutant N7 (N197Q) in the carboxy-terminal stem of the V2 loop showed the most pronounced increase in sensitivity to broadly neutralizing antibodies (NtAbs), including those targeting the CD4-binding site (IgG1b12) and the V3 loop (447-52D). This mutant is also sensitive to CD4-induced NtAb 17b in the absence of CD4. Unlike the wild-type (WT) Env, mutant N7 mediates CD4-independent infection in U87-CXCR4 cells. To study the immunogenicity of mutant Env, we immunized pig-tailed macaques with recombinant vaccinia viruses, one expressing SIVmac239 Gag-Pol and the other expressing HIV-1 89.6 Env gp160 in WT or mutant forms. Animals were boosted 14 to 16 months later with simian immunodeficiency virus gag DNA and the cognate gp140 protein before intrarectal challenge with SHIV89.6P-MN. Day-of-challenge sera from animals immunized with mutant N7 Env had significantly higher and broader neutralizing activities than sera from WT Env-immunized animals. Neutralizing activity was observed against SHIV89.6, SHIV89.6P-MN, HIV-1 SF162, and a panel of subtype B primary isolates. Compared to control animals, immunized animals showed significant reduction of plasma viral load and increased survival after challenge, which correlated with prechallenge NtAb titers. These results indicate the potential advantages for glycan modification in vaccine design, although the role of specific glycans requires further examination.

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Safety, tolerance, and efficacy of atevirdine in asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.40.11.2664 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 40 (11) ◽

pp. 2664-2668 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

A M Been-Tiktak ◽

I Williams ◽

H M Vrehen ◽

J Richens ◽

D Aldam ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Transcriptase Inhibitor ◽

Viral Loads ◽

Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Cd4 Cell Counts ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor ◽

Cd4 Cell ◽

Hiv 1

Atevirdine is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In this study we investigated the effect of atevirdine in asymptomatic antiretroviral naive HIV-infected patients with CD4+ cell counts of between 200 and 750 cells per mm3. Patients were randomized to receive 600 mg of atevirdine (n = 15) or a placebo (n = 15) three times a day for 12 weeks. There was no statistically significant effect of atevirdine on viral loads (HIV p24 antigen and HIV-1 RNA levels by PCR) or CD4+ cell counts. The data do not support the use of atevirdine as a monotherapy in the treatment of HIV-infected patients.

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