Sexually Transmitted Infections
Volume 94, Issue 2, 2018, Pages 111-116

Genetic transmission networks reveal the transmission patterns of HIV-1 CRF01-AE in China (Article)

Li X. , Gao R. , Zhu K. , Wei F. , Fang K. , Li W. , Song Y. , Ge Y. , Ji Y. , Zhong P.* , Wei P.
  • a Teaching and Research Office of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road (W), Nanjing, 210009, China, Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
  • b Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
  • c School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong, China
  • d Department of Oncology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China
  • e Teaching and Research Office of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road (W), Nanjing, 210009, China
  • f Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and School Health, Nanjing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
  • g Teaching and Research Office of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road (W), Nanjing, 210009, China
  • h Teaching and Research Office of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road (W), Nanjing, 210009, China
  • i Teaching and Research Office of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road (W), Nanjing, 210009, China
  • j Department of AIDS and STD, Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai Municipal Institutes for Preventive Medicine, 1380 Zhongshan Road (W), Shanghai, 200336, China
  • k Teaching and Research Office of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road (W), Nanjing, 210009, China

Abstract

Objectives: The epidemic of HIV-1 CRF01-AE has become a major public health issue in China. This study aimed to characterise the transmission patterns of genetic networks for CRF01-AE nationwide and elucidate possible opportunities for prevention. Methods: We isolated and conducted genetic transmission network analysis of all available CRF01-AE pol sequences (n=4704) from China in the Los Alamos HIV sequence database. Results: A total of 1391 (29.6%) sequences were identified as belonging to 400 separate networks. Of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the networks, 93.8% were linked to other MSM and only 2.4% were linked to heterosexual women. However, 11.8% heterosexual women in the networks were linked to MSM. Lineages composed mainly of MSM had higher transmission than those that were mostly heterosexuals. Of the 1391 individuals in networks, 513 (36.9%) were linked to cases diagnosed in different provinces. The proportion of individuals involved in inter-province links was interrelated with the number of migrant people (Spearman's r=0.738, p=0.001). Conclusions: The outcome of this study could help improve our ability to understand HIV transmission among various regions and risk groups in China, and highlighted the importance of targeting MSM and migrants by prevention and intervention efforts. © 2018 Article author(s). All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

China MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY HIV AIDS

Index Keywords

genetics Pol protein China HIV Infections transmission Human immunodeficiency virus infection human middle aged statistics and numerical data priority journal nonhuman men who have sex with men RNA, Viral Homosexuality, Male male homosexuality heterosexual female Gene Regulatory Networks Young Adult heterosexuality population size migrant Humans classification virology gene regulatory network male Epidemics genetic linkage female risk factor Risk Factors virus RNA isolation and purification Article epidemic Phylogeny adult HIV-1 gene sequence Human immunodeficiency virus 1 virus transmission
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85042863587&doi=10.1136%2fsextrans-2016-053085&partnerID=40&md5=e256453a0d951382aa49819b874da0f1
DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-053085
ISSN: 13684973
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English