title: Heterosexually acquired CRF01_AE/B recombinant HIV type 1 found in Thailand.
abstract: CRF01_AE and subtype B are circulating in Thailand and the strains have become intermixed in some high-risk groups, establishing the possibility of intersubtype recombination. The first such recombinant, mostly B with gp120 from CRF01_AE, was recently identified. Here we report a heterosexually acquired recombinant of different structure, with most of the genome from CRF01_AE but almost the entire envelope from subtype B. Surveillance by V3 serotype and genotype in multiple regions, followed by full-genome sequencing, was used to identify this strain. Pending vaccine trials in Thailand require knowledge of the presence of such strains in the population, and these recombinants provide valuable reagents for the laboratory evaluation of cross-subtype immunity. Studies are underway to determine whether either recombinant is circulating widely.
authors.affiliation: Thai Component, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kwanjai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Viputtijul
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.forename: Rapee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trichavaroj
authors.forename: Jean K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Sodsai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tovanabutra
authors.forename: Francine E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: McCutchan
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sriplienchan
authors.forename: Puangmalee
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buapunth
authors.forename: Cheodchai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chuenchitra
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McNeil
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Birx
authors.forename: Arthur E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Sorachai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nitayaphan
mesh_terms: D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D013785:Thailand