Genetic characterization of a novel HIV-1 CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC recombinant form among men who have sex with men in Guangdong, China

Arch Virol. 2018 Nov;163(11):3093-3097. doi: 10.1007/s00705-018-3928-1. Epub 2018 Jul 20.

Abstract

Genome recombination is a major strategy employed by HIV to generate new variants for the benefit of escaping immune surveillance. Near full-length genome phylogenic analysis was utilized to characterize HIV diversity in a male patient in Guangdong, China. The result showed a unique recombinant form (URF) composed of two circulating recombinant forms, CRF01_AE (92%) and CRF07_BC (8%), using six recombinant breakpoints, nt 2794, 3092, 4482, 5988, 7021, and 7722. The emergence of this URF indicates that HIV-1 co-infection or super-infections are common. The increasing genetic complexity of the HIV-1 epidemic in China warrants continued investigation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • China / epidemiology
  • Genome, Viral
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • HIV-1 / classification
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Open Reading Frames
  • Phylogeny
  • Recombination, Genetic*