title: Circulation of HIV-1 Multiple Complexity Recombinant Forms Among Female Sex Workers Recently Infected with HIV-1 in Thailand.
abstract: The circulating subtype distribution of HIV-1 has not been well characterized in female sex worker (FSW) populations in Thailand. To understand the mechanisms and interrelationships of epidemics involving FSWs in Thailand, we performed a large molecular epidemiological study of FSWs aged 25 years with recently acquired HIV-1 infections. The samples were collected in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2011 in 38 provinces, representing every region of Thailand. After gag (p24), pol (pro-RT), and env (C2/V3) were sequenced, comprehensive genome analysis was performed. Genetic subtypes were determined in 159 plasma samples. The percentage of circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) CRF01_AE (90.6%) predominated, while subtype B (1.3%), other CRFs (1.9%), and unique recombinant forms (URFs) (6.2%) were identified as minor populations. Interestingly, the unique recombinant nature of these HIV-1 strains was verified in 10 specimens, indicating the presence of new forms of HIV-1 intersubtypes G/A, C/B, AE/B/C, and AE/B with different recombination breakpoints. Subtype B has contributed to these new generations of unique CRF01/B recombinants, especially in the pol (RT) gene, in which the template switching of the RT genomes occurred during reverse transcription. These results imply that the several unique recombinant viruses circulating in Thailand were probably generated in the population or introduced from neighboring countries. Our study helps clarify the patterns of viral transmission and define transmission pathways in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: 1 National Institute of Health , Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand .
authors.forename: Siriphan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saeng-Aroon
authors.affiliation: 1 National Institute of Health , Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand .
authors.forename: Ruangchai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loket
authors.affiliation: 2 Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health , Nonthaburi, Thailand .
authors.forename: Tanarak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Plipat
authors.affiliation: 1 National Institute of Health , Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand .
authors.forename: Suttiwat
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lumyai
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung, Taiwan .
authors.forename: Pei-Yu
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: 1 National Institute of Health , Department of Medical Science, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand .
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sangkitporn
authors.affiliation: 4 Research Institute of Microbial Diseases, Osaka University , Osaka, Japan .
authors.forename: Emi E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.affiliation: 4 Research Institute of Microbial Diseases, Osaka University , Osaka, Japan .|5 Thailand-Japan Research Collaboration Center on Emerging and Re-emerging Infections (RCC-ERI) , Nonthaburi, Thailand .
authors.forename: Naokazu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.affiliation: 4 Research Institute of Microbial Diseases, Osaka University , Osaka, Japan .
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shioda
authors.affiliation: 4 Research Institute of Microbial Diseases, Osaka University , Osaka, Japan .|5 Thailand-Japan Research Collaboration Center on Emerging and Re-emerging Infections (RCC-ERI) , Nonthaburi, Thailand .
authors.forename: Kazushi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Motomura
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D060386:Sex Workers; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics; D054302:pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D054299:env Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054301:gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D054302:pol Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus