HIV subtype in newly reported HIV infected cases in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan province, 2015

Abstract

Objective: To explore the distribution of HIV subtype in newly detected people living with HIV from January to November, 2015 in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan province. Methods: DNA extraction, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for gag, env, and pol amplification and amplification product sequencing were conducted by using plasmas of newly detected HIV-infected persons. The subtypes were confirmed by analyzing the sequences of 3 genes. Results: A total of 963 HIV infection cases were reported during this period, the HIV subtype was confirmed in 499 cases. Unique recombinant form (URF) was the most common subtype (27.1%, 135/499), followed by C (26.7%, 133/499), CRF01_AE (19.2%, 96/499) and others. URF included 4 kinds of combination, of which combination of subtype B and C was most common. HIV subtype distribution differed between the Chinese HIV infection cases and the Burmese HIV infection cases, the proportion of B and C combination was higher in the Chinese cases. Transmission route was the only factor influencing HIV subtype distribution. Conclusions: HIV subtype distribution in Dehong was complex. URF was predominant. The HIV subtype distribution differed between Chinese and Burmese under different transmission route.