scholarly journals 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

Intervirology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yueqi Yin ◽  
Ying Zhou ◽  
Jing Lu ◽  
Hongxiong Guo ◽  
Jianshuang Chen ◽  
...  

<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.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Yueqi ◽  
Zhou Ying ◽  
Lu Jing ◽  
Guo Hongxiong ◽  
Chen Jianshuang ◽  
...  

Background: CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC are the two major HIV-1 virus strains circulating in China. The proportion of dominant subtypes (CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC) among MSM in Jiangsu province was over 80%. A large number of URFs have been found in China in recently years. Objective: This study aimed to report on novel HIV-1 recombinants. Method: We constructed Phylogenetic trees using the maximum likelihood (ML) method with 1000 bootstrap replicates in IQ-TREE 1.6.8 software and determined recombination break points using SimPlot 3.5.1. Results: We identified a novel, second-generation HIV-1 recombinant (JS020202) between CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC. The analysis of near full-length genome (NFLG) showed there were at least 8 breakpoints inner virus, which differed from any previously identified CRF and URF around the world. Conclusion: Novel diverse CRF01_AE/07_BC suggested the complexity trends of HIV-1 genetics. The emergency situation of diverse recombinant strains should be monitored continuously.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Zhu ◽  
Jin Zhao ◽  
Xiaorui Wang ◽  
Hanping Li ◽  
Yongjian Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Under the background of the main epidemic HIV strains (CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC) co-circulation in China, more HIV second-generation recombinant (SGR) strains with CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC as the backbone are emerging. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics and evolutionary history of a newly emerging HIV-1 CRF120_0107 composed of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC based on the near full-length genome (NFLG) in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. NFLG phylogenetic analysis revealed that these sequences formed a distinct monophyletic branch with a high bootstrap value (>90%), distantly related to all known HIV-1 genotypes. Recombination analysis showed that CRF120_0107 was composed of the predominant HIV-1 strains in China: CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC. Further subregional phylogenetic analysis was performed that possible parental lineages of CRF07_BC segments (Ⅰ, Ⅲ, and Ⅴ) belonged to the CRF07_BC men who have sex with men cluster (MSM cluster), other CRF01_AE segments also mainly belonged to MSM Cluster (such as CRF01_AE Cluster 5). Bayesian analysis results inferred that CRF120_0107 placed its emergence in Shenzhen approximately between 2009-2011. The appearance of CRF120_0107 further highlights that more and more HIV-1 SGR strains containing CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC will be more generated frequently and will most likely be more conducive to accelerating the spread of HIV in China. This highlighted it is necessary to monitor MSM high-risk individuals with HIV-1 CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC dual infection to prevent the generation of CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinant strains, thus reducing the possibility of HIV-1 genotype resistance and the complexity of treatment in China.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Bacque ◽  
Elena Delgado ◽  
Sonia Benito ◽  
Maria Moreno-Lorenzo ◽  
Vanessa Montero ◽  
...  

Circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) are important components of the HIV-1 pandemic. Among 108 reported in the literature, 17 are BF1 intersubtype recombinant, most of which are of South American origin. Among these, all 5 identified in the Southern Cone and neighboring countries, except Brazil, derive from a common recombinant ancestor related to CRF12_BF, which circulates widely in Argentina, as deduced from coincident breakpoints and clustering in phylogenetic trees. In a HIV-1 molecular epidemiological study in Spain, we identified a phylogenetic cluster of 20 samples from 3 separate regions which were of F1 subsubtype, related to the Brazilian strain, in protease-reverse transcriptase (Pr-RT) and of subtype B in integrase. Remarkably, 14 individuals from this cluster (designated BF9) were Paraguayans and only 4 were native Spaniards. HIV-1 transmission was predominantly heterosexual, except for a subcluster of 6 individuals, 5 of which were men who have sex with men. Ten additional database sequences, from Argentina (n=4), Spain (n=3), Paraguay (n=1), Brazil (n=1), and Italy (n=1), branched within the BF9 cluster. To determine whether it represents a new CRF, near full-length genome (NFLG) sequences were obtained for 6 viruses from 3 Spanish regions. Bootscan analyses showed a coincident BF1 recombinant structure, with 5 breakpoints, located in p17gag, integrase, gp120, gp41-rev overlap, and nef, which was identical to that of two BF1 recombinant viruses from Paraguay previously sequenced in NFLGs. Interestingly, none of the breakpoints coincided with those of CRF12_BF. In a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree, all 8 NFLG sequences grouped in a strongly supported clade segregating from previously identified CRFs and from the CRF12_BF family clade. These results allow us to identify a new HIV-1 CRF, designated CRF66_BF. Through a Bayesian coalescent analysis, the most recent common ancestor of CRF66_BF was estimated around 1984 in South America, either in Paraguay or Argentina. Among Pr-RT sequences obtained by us from HIV-1-infected Paraguayans living in Spain, 14 (20.9%) of 67 were of CRF66_BF, suggesting that CRF66_BF may be one of the major HIV-1 genetic forms circulating in Paraguay. CRF66_BF is the first reported non-Brazilian South American HIV-1 CRF_BF unrelated to CRF12_BF


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Bacqué ◽  
Elena Delgado ◽  
Sonia Benito ◽  
María Moreno-Lorenzo ◽  
Vanessa Montero ◽  
...  

Circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) are important components of the HIV-1 pandemic. Among 110 reported in the literature, 17 are BF1 intersubtype recombinant, most of which are of South American origin. Among these, all 5 identified in the Southern Cone and neighboring countries, except Brazil, derive from a common recombinant ancestor related to CRF12_BF, which circulates widely in Argentina, as deduced from coincident breakpoints and clustering in phylogenetic trees. In a HIV-1 molecular epidemiological study in Spain, we identified a phylogenetic cluster of 20 samples from 3 separate regions which were of F1 subsubtype, related to the Brazilian strain, in protease-reverse transcriptase (Pr-RT) and of subtype B in integrase. Remarkably, 14 individuals from this cluster (designated BF9) were Paraguayans and only 4 were native Spaniards. HIV-1 transmission was predominantly heterosexual, except for a subcluster of 6 individuals, 5 of which were men who have sex with men. Ten additional database sequences, from Argentina (n = 4), Spain (n = 3), Paraguay (n = 1), Brazil (n = 1), and Italy (n = 1), branched within the BF9 cluster. To determine whether it represents a new CRF, near full-length genome (NFLG) sequences were obtained for 6 viruses from 3 Spanish regions. Bootscan analyses showed a coincident BF1 recombinant structure, with 5 breakpoints, located in p17gag, integrase, gp120, gp41-rev overlap, and nef, which was identical to that of two BF1 recombinant viruses from Paraguay previously sequenced in NFLGs. Interestingly, none of the breakpoints coincided with those of CRF12_BF. In a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree, all 8 NFLG sequences grouped in a strongly supported clade segregating from previously identified CRFs and from the CRF12_BF “family” clade. These results allow us to identify a new HIV-1 CRF, designated CRF66_BF. Through a Bayesian coalescent analysis, the most recent common ancestor of CRF66_BF was estimated around 1984 in South America, either in Paraguay or Argentina. Among Pr-RT sequences obtained by us from HIV-1-infected Paraguayans living in Spain, 14 (20.9%) of 67 were of CRF66_BF, suggesting that CRF66_BF may be one of the major HIV-1 genetic forms circulating in Paraguay. CRF66_BF is the first reported non-Brazilian South American HIV-1 CRF_BF unrelated to CRF12_BF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. e1009258
Author(s):  
Yang Gao ◽  
Shan He ◽  
Wen Tian ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Minghui An ◽  
...  

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) recombinants in the world are believed to be generated through recombination between distinct HIV-1 strains among coinfection or superinfection cases. However, direct evidence to support transmission of HIV-1 recombinants from a coinfected/superinfected donor to putative recipient is lacking. Here, we report on the origin and evolutionary relationship between a set of recombinants from a CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC superinfected putative donor and diverse CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinants from five putative recipients. Interviews on sociodemographic characteristics and sexual behaviors for these six HIV-1-infected men who have sex with men showed that they had similar ways of partner seeking: online dating sites and social circles. Phylogenetic and recombination analyses demonstrated that the near-full-length genome sequences from six patients formed a monophyletic cluster different from known HIV-1 genotypes in maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees, were all composed of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC fragments with two common breakpoints on env, and shared 4–7 breakpoints with each other. Moreover, 3’ half-genomes of recombinant strains from five recipients had identical/similar recombinant structures with strains at longitudinal samples from the superinfected donor. Recombinants from the donor were paraphyletic, whereas five recipients were monophyletic or polyphyletic in the maximum clade credibility tree. Bayesian analyses confirmed that the estimated time to the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC strains of the donor was 2009.2 and 2010.7, respectively, and all were earlier than the emergence of recombinants from five recipients. Our results demonstrated that the closely related unique recombinant forms of HIV-1 might be the descendent of a series of recombinants generated gradually in a superinfected patient. This finding highlights the importance of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy as well as tracing and testing of partners in patients with multiple HIV-1 infection.


2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 910-911 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. T. Ng ◽  
K. Y. Ng ◽  
J. H.-K. Chen ◽  
O. T. Ng ◽  
A. Kamarulzaman ◽  
...  

AIDS ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Bezemer ◽  
Ard van Sighem ◽  
Vladimir V Lukashov ◽  
Lia van der Hoek ◽  
Nicole Back ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Morgan ◽  
Alexandra M. Oster ◽  
Stephanie Townsell ◽  
Donna Peace ◽  
Nanette Benbow ◽  
...  

Objective: Analysis of HIV nucleotide sequences can be used to identify people with highly similar HIV strains and understand transmission patterns. The objective of this study was to identify groups of people highly connected by HIV transmission and the extent to which transmission occurred within and between geographic areas in Chicago, Illinois. Methods: We analyzed genetic sequences in the HIV-1 pol region in samples collected from people participating in the VARHS program in Chicago during 2005-2011. We determined pairwise genetic distance, inferred potential transmission events between HIV-infected people whose sequences were ≤1.5% genetically distant, and identified clusters of connected people. We used multivariable analysis to determine demographic characteristics and risk attributes associated with degree of connectivity. Results: Of 1154 sequences, 177 (15.3%) were tied to at least 1 other sequence. We determined that younger people, men, non-Hispanic black people, and men who have sex with men were more highly connected than other HIV-infected people. We also identified a high degree of geographic heterogeneity—48 of 67 clusters (71.6%) contained people from >1 Chicago region (north, south, or west sides). Conclusion: Our results indicate a need to address HIV transmission through the networks of younger non-Hispanic black men who have sex with men. The high level of geographic heterogeneity observed suggests that HIV prevention programs should be targeted toward networks of younger people rather than geographic areas of high incidence. This study could also guide prevention efforts in other diverse metropolitan regions with characteristics similar to those of Chicago.


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