Surprisingly High Prevalence of Subtype C and Specific HIV-1 Subtype/CRF Distribution in Men Having Sex With Men in Senegal

ABSTRACTThe high incidence of AIDS cases and the dominance of HIV-1 subtype C infections are two features that distinguish the HIV-1 epidemic in the two southernmost Brazilian states (Rio Grande do Sul [RS] and Santa Catarina [SC]) from the epidemic in other parts of the country. Nevertheless, previous studies on HIV molecular epidemiology were conducted mainly in capital cities, and a more comprehensive understanding of factors driving this unique epidemic in Brazil is necessary. Blood samples were collected from individuals in 13 municipalities in the Brazilian southern region. HIV-1envandpolgenes were submitted to phylogenetic analyses for assignment of subtype, and viral population phylodynamics were reconstructed by applying Skygrid and logistic coalescent models in a Bayesian analysis. A high prevalence of subtype C was observed in all sampled locations; however, an increased frequency of recombinant strains was found in RS, with evidence for new circulating forms (CRFs). In the SC state, subtype B and C epidemics were associated with distinct exposure groups. Although logistic models estimated similar growth rates for HIV-1 subtype C (HIV-1C) and HIV-1B, a Skygrid plot reveals that the former epidemic has been expanding for a longer time. Our results highlight a consistent expansion of HIV-1C in south Brazil, and we also discuss how heterosexual and men who have sex with men (MSM) transmission chains might have impacted the current prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes in this region.IMPORTANCEThe AIDS epidemic in south Brazil is expanding rapidly, but the circumstances driving this condition are not well known. A high prevalence of HIV-1 subtype C was reported in the capital cities of this region, in contrast to the subtype B dominance in the rest of the country. This study sought to comparatively investigate the HIV-1 subtype B and C epidemics by sampling individuals from several cities in the two states with the highest AIDS incidences in Brazil. Our analyses showed distinct epidemic growth curves for the two epidemics, and we also found evidence suggesting that separate transmission chains may be impacting the viral phylodynamics and the emergence of new recombinant forms.

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Increase in HIV-1-transmitted drug resistance among ART-naïve youths at the China-Myanmar border during 2009 ~ 2017

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-05794-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yibo Ding ◽

Min Chen ◽

Jibao Wang ◽

Yuecheng Yang ◽

Yi Feng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drug Resistance ◽

Reverse Transcriptase ◽

Cd4 Count ◽

Transmitted Drug Resistance ◽

Subtype C ◽

Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ◽

Recombination Hotspots ◽

Subtype B ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv 1

Abstract Background HIV-transmitted drug resistance (TDR) is found in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve populations infected with HIV-1 with TDR mutations and is important for guiding future first- and second-line ART regimens. We investigated TDR and its effect on CD4 count in ART-naïve youths from the China-Myanmar border near the Golden Triangle to better understand TDR and effectively guide ART. Methods From 2009 to 2017, 10,832 HIV-1 infected individuals were newly reported along the Dehong border of China, 573 ART-naïve youths (16 ~ 25 y) were enrolled. CD4 counts were obtained from whole blood samples. HIV pol gene sequences were amplified from RNA extracted from plasma. The Stanford REGA program and jpHMM recombination prediction tool were used to determine genotypes. TDR mutations (TDRMs) were analyzed using the Stanford Calibrated Population Resistance tool. Results The most common infection route was heterosexuals (70.51%), followed by people who inject drugs (PWID, 19.20%) and men who have sex with men (MSM) (8.90%). The distribution of HIV genotypes mainly included the unique recombinant form (URF) (44.08%), 38.68% were CRFs, 13.24% were subtype C and 4.04% were subtype B. The prevalence of TDR increased significantly from 2009 to 2017 (3.48 to 9.48%) in ART-naïve youths (4.00 to 13.16% in Burmese subjects, 3.33 to 5.93% in Chinese subjects), and the resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleoside and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) were 3.49, 2.62, and 0.52%, respectively. Most (94.40%, n = 34) of HIV-1-infected patients with TDRM had mutation that conferred resistance to a single drug class. The most common mutations Y181I/C and K103N, were found in 7 and 9 youths, respectively. The mean CD4 count was significantly lower among individuals with TDRMs (373/mm3 vs. 496/mm3, p = 0.013). Conclusions The increase in the prevalence of HIV-1 TDR increase and a low CD4 count of patients with TDRMs in the China-Myanmar border suggests the need for considering drug resistance before initiating ART in HIV recombination hotspots.

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Individuals with HIV-1 Subtype C Infection and Cryptococcal Meningitis Exhibit Viral Genetic Intermixing of HIV-1 Between Plasma and Cerebrospinal Fluid and a High Prevalence of CXCR4-Using Variants

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses ◽

10.1089/aid.2017.0209 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 34 (7) ◽

pp. 607-620 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Katlego Sojane ◽

Richard T. Kangethe ◽

Christina C. Chang ◽

Mahomed-Yunus S. Moosa ◽

Sharon R. Lewin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽

Cryptococcal Meningitis ◽

Subtype C ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Hiv 1

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High Prevalence of Cross-resistance to Rilpivirine in Subtype C HIV-1 Isolates from First-line ART Failures in South Africa

AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses ◽

10.1089/aid.2014.5346.abstract ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 30 (S1) ◽

pp. A166-A166 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kerri J. Penrose ◽

Carole L. Wallis ◽

Maritsa Scoulos-Hanson ◽

Raquel Viana ◽

John W. Mellors ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Cross Resistance ◽

Subtype C ◽

First Line ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Hiv 1

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Serological and molecular screening for viruses in blood donors from Ntcheu, Malawi: High prevalence of HIV-1 subtype C and of markers of hepatitis B and C viruses

Journal of Medical Virology ◽

10.1002/jmv.1093 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

D. Candotti ◽

C. Mundy ◽

G. Kadewele ◽

W. Nkhoma ◽

I. Bates ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B ◽

Blood Donors ◽

Molecular Screening ◽

Subtype C ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Hiv 1

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Tracing the origin and dynamics of the HIV-1 epidemic in Serbia

Archives of Biological Sciences ◽

10.2298/abs1402507s ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 507-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marina Siljic ◽

Dubravka Salemovic ◽

Dj. Jevtovic ◽

Ivana Pesic-Pavlovic ◽

Sonja Zerjav ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Sexual Transmission ◽

Intravenous Drug User ◽

Subtype C ◽

Subtype B ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv 1 ◽

Genetic Form ◽

Subtype Distribution ◽

Founder Strain

Since the first report of HIV infection in Serbia in 1985, the HIV-1 epidemic was very dynamic, changing the pattern in subtype distribution and prevailing transmission routes. To better understand the origin and epidemiological dynamics of HIV-1, we analyzed 266 (pol) sequences from Serbian patients diagnosed over a period of 14 years. Subtype distribution in Serbia is still marked by a prevailing subtype B genetic form. The transmission pattern, however, has changed from being intravenous drug user (IVDU) - driven to predominantly sexual transmission. The estimated time of initial founder strain introduction of sequences from Serbian IVDUs and MSM (men who have sex with men) is similar and dates back to the early 1980s, while introduction of subtype C occurred much more recently.

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Molecular Characterization of HIV-1 Minority Subtypes in Hong Kong: A Recent Epidemic of CRF07_BC among the Men who have Sex with Men Population

Current HIV Research ◽

10.2174/1570162x17666190530081355 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 53-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kenneth Siu-Sing Leung ◽

Sabrina Wai-Chi To ◽

Jonathan Hon-Kwan Chen ◽

Gilman Kit-Hang Siu ◽

Kenny Chi-Wai Chan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Hong Kong ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Surveillance Program ◽

Subtype C ◽

Subtype B ◽

Potential Association ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv 1

Background: Over the past years, an increasing trend was noticed for non-B and non- CRF01_AE HIV-1 strains prevalence in Hong Kong. Objective: In this study, we aimed at using the available HIV-1 pol sequences collected from 1994 to 2013 through our local antiretroviral resistance surveillance program to investigate the molecular epidemiology and evolution of HIV-1 minority subtypes in Hong Kong. We also aimed at investigating their potential association and impact of those transmission risk groups. Methods: A total of 2,315 HIV-1 partial pol sequences were included. HIV-1 genotypes were determined by REGA Genotyping Tool and phylogenetic analysis with reference sequences. The viral evolutionary rates and time of the most common ancestor (tMRCA) were estimated by Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) interference. Results: Apart from the two prevalent HIV-1 genotypes in Hong Kong (subtype B,41.6%, CRF01_AE,40.5%), phylogenetic analysis revealed a broad viral diversity including CRF07_BC(5.1%), subtype C(4.5%), CRF02_AG(1.1%), CRF08_BC(0.8%), subtype A1(0.8%), subtype G(0.4%), subtype D(0.4%), CRF06_cpx(0.4%), subtype F(0.1%), CRF12_BF(0·04%) and other recombinants(4.5%). The top five minority subtypes were further analyzed which demonstrated distinct epidemiological and phylogenetic patterns. Over 70% of subtypes A1, C and CRF02_AG infections were circulated among non-Chinese Asians or African community in Hong Kong and were mainly transmitted between heterosexual regular partners. Instead, over 90% of CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC patients were Chinese. An epidemic cluster was identified in CRF07_BC and estimated to expand from 2002 onwards based on skyline plot and molecular clock analysis. Conclusion: Our results highlighted the emergence of CRF07_BC epidemic in local MSM community, public health interventions targeting the community should be further enhanced to tackle the epidemic.

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