HIV type 1 subtype C remains the predominant subtype in men having sex with men in Senegal

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2013 Sep;29(9):1265-72. doi: 10.1089/aid.2013.0140. Epub 2013 Jul 19.

Abstract

HIV-1 epidemics are expanding among men who have sex with men in low- and middle-income countries. To confirm and further explore preliminary data in Senegal, we aimed to determine 3 years after a first study the HIV-1 genetic diversity in three different viral regions. From 109 samples available in 2007, 93 were sequenced in gag, 77 in env, and 60 in pol. Phylogenetic analysis showed that subtype C predominated (38-52%), followed by CRF02_AG (30-40%), subtype B (13-17%), and CRF09_cpx (2.6-5%). Subsubtype A3 and strains tightly linked to CRF43_02G were identified in env and gag, respectively, and 12% of the samples were unique recombinants. Six transmission chains involving two to seven individuals were identified. Some strains carried resistance mutations inside transmission chains. This study confirmed the existence of a dual epidemic in Senegal and emphasized the need to strengthen prevention programs to avoid strains intermixing between low-risk women and high-risk men.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Female
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / classification*
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Molecular Epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Prevalence
  • Senegal / epidemiology
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Young Adult
  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics
  • pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / genetics

Substances

  • env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  • pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus