title: Clinical, epidemiological and molecular features of the HIV-1 subtype C and recombinant forms that are circulating in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The city of Sao Paulo has the highest AIDS case rate, with nearly 60% in Brazil. Despite, several studies involving molecular epidemiology, lack of data regarding a large cohort study has not been published from this city.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe the HIV-1 subtypes, recombinant forms and drug resistance mutations, according to subtype, with emphasis on subtype C and BC recombinants in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  RNA was extracted from the plasma samples of 302 HIV-1-seropositive subjects, of which 211 were drug-naive and 82 were exposed to ART. HIV-1 partial pol region sequences were used in phylogenetic analyses for subtyping and identification of drug resistance mutations. The envelope gene of subtype C and BC samples was also sequenced.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From partial pol gene analyses, 239 samples (79.1%) were assigned as subtype B, 23 (7.6%) were F1, 16 (5.3%) were subtype C and 24 (8%) were mosaics (3 CRF28/CRF29-like). The subtype C and BC recombinants were mainly identified in drug-naïve patients (72.7%) and the heterosexual risk exposure category (86.3%), whereas for subtype B, these values were 69.9% and 57.3%, respectively (p = 0.97 and p = 0.015, respectively). An increasing trend of subtype C and BC recombinants was observed (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HIV-1 subtype C and CRFs seem to have emerged over the last few years in the city of São Paulo, principally among the heterosexual population. These findings may have an impact on preventive measures and vaccine development in Brazil.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Dermatology and Immunodeficiencies, Department of Dermatology, Medical School of São Paulo University, LIM56/FMUSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. rosana117@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Rosana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alcalde
authors.forename: Monick L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.forename: Alberto J S
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Casseb
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015751:Genes, pol / Q000235:genetics; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry; D016865:Reassortant Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral