title: Evidence of multiple introductions and autochthonous transmission of the HIV type 1 CRF02_AG clade in Brazil.
abstract: HIV-1 CRF02_AG is the most prevalent intersubtype recombinant form worldwide. Six HIV-1 samples from patients living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were subtyped as CRF02_AG at the pol gene between 2004 and 2011. To trace the origin of these viruses, they were compared with 793 CRF02_AG pol sequences of African origin and another four Brazilian CRF02_AG pol sequences previously described. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that there have been at least four introductions of the CRF02_AG clade in Brazil, as signified by the presence of four phylogenetically distinct lineages, probably originated from western African countries (Benin, Ghana, and Guinea-Bissau). At least two CRF02_AG Brazilian lineages were successful in getting established and disseminated throughout the Rio de Janeiro state, with evidence of both horizontal and vertical transmission. Continuous epidemiological surveillance of HIV-1 strains circulating in Brazil is of paramount importance to the early detection of newly emerging viral lineages.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de AIDS and Imunologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. edsonod@ioc.fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Edson Oliveira
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Delatorre
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.forename: Walter A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Eyer-Silva
authors.forename: Saada L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Chequer-Fernandez
authors.forename: Mariza G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Morgado
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Couto-Fernandez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D015751:Genes, pol / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D015995:Prevalence; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral