The Transmission and Evolution of HIV-1 Quasispecies within One Couple: a Follow-up Study based on Next-Generation Sequencing

Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 23;8(1):1404. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19783-3.

Abstract

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been successfully used to trace HIV-1 infection. In this study, we investigated the transmission and evolution of HIV-1 quasispecies in a couple infected through heterosexual behavior. A heterosexual couple in which both partners were infected with HIV-1 was followed up for 54 months. Blood samples including whole-blood and plasma samples, were collected at various time points. After HIV-1 subtyping, NGS (Miseq platform) was used to sequence the env region of the HIV-1 quasispecies. Genetic distances were calculated, and phylogenetic trees were generated. We found both partners were infected with HIV-1 subtype circulating recombinant form (CRF), CRF65_cpx. The quasispecies distribution was relatively tightly clustered in the phylogenetic tree during early infection. Over time, the distribution of HIV-1 quasispecies gradually became more dispersed at 12th months, with a progressive increase in gene diversity. By 37th months, the sequences obtained for both partners formed different clusters in the phylogenetic tree. These results suggest that the HIV-1 contact tracing results generated by the Miseq platform may be more reliable than other conventional sequencing methods, which can provide important information about the transmission and evolution of HIV-1. Our findings may help to better target preventative interventions for promoting public health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • HIV-1 / classification*
  • HIV-1 / genetics
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phylogeny
  • Quasispecies*
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics*

Substances

  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus