Zhao Xuanhe, Chen Zhixia, Du Jian, Shi Haoxi, Chen Sisi, Fan Weiguang
Clinical Laboratory, Baoding Central Blood Station, Baoding, China.
Clinical Laboratory, Baoding People's Hospital, Baoding, China.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2025 Jul 14. doi: 10.1177/08892229251359663.
The genetic diversity of HIV-1, driven by mutation and recombination, poses significant challenges to prevention and control efforts, particularly in regions like China where multiple subtypes and circulating recombinant forms co-circulate. Men who have sex with men (MSM) represent a key population for the emergence of novel recombinants. This study characterizes two novel unique recombinant forms (URFs) identified within the MSM population in Hebei, China. Viral RNA extraction, amplification, and near full-length genome (NFLG) sequencing were performed. Phylogenetic analysis based on NFLG alignments was conducted in MEGA 6 under the Kimura 2-parameter model with 1,000 bootstrap replicates. Recombination was assessed using the Recombinant Identification Program and SimPlot v3.5.1. Breakpoint-defined regions were phylogenetically analyzed, and recombination maps were generated. Phylogenetic and recombinant analysis based on NFLG sequences (designated BDL061 and BDL071) revealed that they originated from subtypes B and C. BDL061 exhibited a predominantly subtype B backbone with interspersed subtype C segments, while BDL071 displayed a predominantly subtype C backbone with subtype B segments. Phylogenetic analysis of recombinant segments strongly supported (bootstrap >90%) subtype B and C parental origins for the respective fragments. We report the identification and characterization of two phylogenetically distinct, novel HIV-1B/C URFs (BDL061 and BDL071) among MSM in Hebei, China. Their unique mosaic structures, differing predominant backbones, and confirmation as novel recombinants underscore the ongoing evolution and increasing complexity of the HIV-1 epidemic within this high-risk population in China. These findings highlight the critical need for NFLG-based surveillance to accurately track viral diversity and inform public health strategies.
由突变和重组驱动的HIV-1基因多样性给预防和控制工作带来了重大挑战，在中国等多种亚型和流行重组型共同传播的地区尤为如此。男男性行为者（MSM）是新型重组体出现的关键人群。本研究对在中国河北MSM人群中鉴定出的两种新型独特重组型（URF）进行了特征描述。进行了病毒RNA提取、扩增和近全长基因组（NFLG）测序。基于NFLG比对在MEGA 6中采用Kimura双参数模型和1000次重复抽样进行系统发育分析。使用重组鉴定程序和SimPlot v3.5.1评估重组情况。对断点定义区域进行系统发育分析并生成重组图谱。基于NFLG序列（命名为BDL061和BDL071）的系统发育和重组分析表明，它们起源于B和C亚型。BDL061表现出以B亚型为主干并散布有C亚型片段，而BDL071则表现出以C亚型为主干并含有B亚型片段。对重组片段的系统发育分析有力支持（自展值>90%）各片段分别来源于B和C亚型亲代。我们报告了在中国河北MSM人群中鉴定并表征的两种系统发育上不同的新型HIV-1 B/C URF（BDL061和BDL071）。它们独特的镶嵌结构以及不同的主要主干，以及作为新型重组体的确认，凸显了中国这一高危人群中HIV-1流行的持续演变和日益增加的复杂性。这些发现突出了基于NFLG监测以准确追踪病毒多样性并为公共卫生策略提供信息的迫切需求。
