Increasing HIV-1 subtype diversity in seven states, United States, 2006-2013

The aim of the analysis was to explore HIV-1 subtype diversity in the United States and understand differences in prevalence of non-B subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) between demographic/risk groups and over time.

We included HIV-1 polymerase sequences reported to the National HIV Surveillance System for HIV infections diagnosed during 2006-2013 in seven states. We assigned subtype or CRF using the automated subtyping tool COMET, assessed subtype/CRF prevalence by demographic characteristics and country of birth, and determined changes in subtype/CRF by HIV diagnosis year.

Of 32,968 sequences, 30,757 (93.3%) were subtype B. The most common non-B subtypes and CRFs were C (1.6%), CRF02_AG (1.4%), A (0.6%), CRF01_AE (0.5%), and G (0.3%). Elevated percentages of non-B infections occurred among persons aged <13 years at diagnosis (40.9%), Asians (32.1%), persons born outside the United States (22.6%), and persons with infection attributable to heterosexual contact (12.0%-15.0%). Prevalence of non-B infections increased from 5.9% in 2006 to 8.5% in 2013.

Subtype B continues to predominate in the United States. However, the percentage of non-B infections has grown in recent years, and numerous demographic subgroups have much higher prevalence. Subgroups and areas with high prevalence of non-B infections might represent sub-epidemics meriting further investigation.