Abstract
To investigate the genetic diversity, spatiotemporal dynamics, and transmission networks of HIV-1 CRF55_01B epidemic in China. A total of 209 partial pol gene sequences of HIV-1 CRF55_01B were sampled during 2007–2015 from 7 provinces of China. Phylogenetic analyses and trait diffusion process of these sequences were performed using Bayesian methods. Distance-based molecular network analyses were performed to infer putative relationships. Characteristics of genetically linked individuals were analyzed. Our study identified that HIV-1 CRF55_01B likely originated among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Guangdong province in January 2003 (April 2000–April 2005), and that Guangdong province and MSM are major hubs for the spread of the HIV-1 CRF55_01B epidemic in China. A Bayesian Skygrid plot revealed that the effective population size of HIV-1 CRF55_01B experienced increased phase followed by a plateau. All sequences from persons of unknown risk clustered within groups who reported MSM risk. This could be because Chinese MSM may not report such risk due to HIV/AIDS-related stigmatization and discrimination. This study inferred the transmission dynamics of the HIV-1 CRF55_01B epidemic in China at high resolution. The methods developed in this study may be critical for designing effective HIV prevention strategies in China and beyond.
Highlights
To investigate the genetic diversity, spatiotemporal dynamics, and transmission networks of HIV-1 CRF55_01B epidemic in China
Our estimate of the 95% HPD interval of the evolutionary rate for CRF55_01B (1.33 × 10−3–2.05 × 10−3) had a very narrow range and included in those obtained from previous study[7]
We found that province was having a significant influence on the complex transmission dynamics of CRF55_01B (Table 2)
Summary
To investigate the genetic diversity, spatiotemporal dynamics, and transmission networks of HIV-1 CRF55_01B epidemic in China. A total of 209 partial pol gene sequences of HIV-1 CRF55_01B were sampled during 2007–2015 from 7 provinces of China. All sequences from persons of unknown risk clustered within groups who reported MSM risk. This study inferred the transmission dynamics of the HIV-1 CRF55_01B epidemic in China at high resolution. We employed state-of-the-art methods to define the spatiotemporal dynamics, transmission networks, geographic origins, and migration patterns of CRF55_01B based on 209 partial pol gene sequences of CRF55_01B with known sampling dates (2007–2015) and geographic locations (7 provinces) primarily among MSM in China. The methods developed in this study may be critical for designing effective HIV prevention strategies in China and beyond
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