title: A single early introduction of HIV-1 subtype B into Central America accounts for most current cases.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) variants show considerable geographical separation across the world, but there is limited information from Central America. We provide the first detailed investigation of the genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in six Central American countries. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on 625 HIV-1 pol gene sequences collected between 2002 and 2010 in Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Belize. Published sequences from neighboring countries (n = 57) and the rest of the world (n = 740) were included as controls. Maximum likelihood methods were used to explore phylogenetic relationships. Bayesian coalescence-based methods were used to time HIV-1 introductions. Nearly all (98.9%) Central American sequences were of subtype B. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 437 (70%) sequences clustered within five significantly supported monophyletic clades formed essentially by Central American sequences. One clade contained 386 (62%) sequences from all six countries; the other four clades were smaller and more country specific, suggesting discrete subepidemics. The existence of one large well-supported Central American clade provides evidence that a single introduction of HIV-1 subtype B in Central America accounts for most current cases. An introduction during the early phase of the HIV-1 pandemic may explain its epidemiological success. Moreover, the smaller clades suggest a subsequent regional spread related to specific transmission networks within each country.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Department, National Autonomous University of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Murillo
authors.forename: Nazle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Veras
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prosperi
authors.forename: Ivette Lorenzana
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: de Rivera
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paz-Bailey
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morales-Miranda
authors.forename: Sandra I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Juarez
authors.forename: Chunfu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: DeVos
authors.forename: José Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Marín
authors.forename: Mattias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mild
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salemi
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D002489:Central America / Q000453:epidemiology; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008957:Models, Genetic; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D015995:Prevalence; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D054302:pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D054302:pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus