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Molecular Transmission Dynamics of Primary HIV Infections in Lazio Region, Years 2013-2020

Lavinia Fabeni1, Gabriella Rozera1, Giulia Berno1

  • 1Virology and Biosafety Laboratories Unit, "Lazzaro Spallanzani"-IRCCS, National Institute for Infectious Diseases, 00149 Rome, Italy.

Viruses
|January 28, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Molecular investigation of primary HIV infections identified 20 transmission clusters, with earlier diagnosis being key. Ultra-deep sequencing revealed shared viral components in transmission pairs, enhancing understanding of HIV spread dynamics.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Understanding primary HIV infections (PHI) is vital for tracking HIV transmission dynamics.
  • The National Institute for Infectious Diseases in Rome (INMI) serves as the Lazio regional AIDS reference center.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate HIV transmission clusters (TC) in PHI patients from 2013-2020.
  • To identify factors associated with inclusion in transmission clusters.
  • To perform in-depth analysis of B subtype clusters using ultra-deep sequencing (UDS).

Main Methods:

  • Phylogenetic analysis of the HIV pol gene for TC identification.
  • Ultra-deep sequencing (UDS) of the HIV env gene for B subtype TC analysis.
  • Retrospective analysis of 229 PHI patients enrolled between 2013-2020.

Main Results:

  • Twenty transmission clusters (TC) involving 68 patients were identified.
  • Earlier diagnosis (prior to 2015) was the sole factor linked to TC inclusion.
  • UDS identified shared quasispecies in transmission pairs within clusters.
  • Early antiretroviral therapy was initiated in 92.6% of patients.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular epidemiology is crucial for understanding current HIV transmission.
  • Earlier diagnosis is associated with being part of a transmission cluster.
  • UDS provides valuable insights into viral evolution within transmission networks.
Keywords:
HIV primary infectionphylogenetic analysisspread and epidemiologyultra-deep sequencing

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