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Priority Intervention Targets Identified Using an In-Depth Sampling HIV Molecular Network in a Non-Subtype B
Bin Zhao1,2,3,4, Wei Song5, Minghui An1,2,3,4
1NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), National Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|April 15, 2021
Summary
Molecular network analysis helps identify priority HIV-1 transmission clusters for targeted interventions. This study combined genetic data with epidemiology to pinpoint key groups in Shenyang, China, guiding public health efforts.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Molecular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Molecular network analysis is crucial for guiding HIV-1 interventions.
- Limited experience exists in combining molecular network inferences with epidemiological data for diverse HIV-1 strains.
- Understanding transmission dynamics in areas with varied HIV-1 subtypes is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct HIV-1 molecular networks using genetic similarity in Shenyang, China.
- To integrate epidemiological information for identifying priority clusters for targeted interventions.
- To assess the effectiveness of molecular epidemiology in diverse HIV-1 epidemic settings.
Main Methods:
- Collected 2,173 HIV-1 pol sequences from newly diagnosed infections in Shenyang (2016-2018).
- Constructed molecular networks using optimized, subtype-specific genetic distance thresholds.
- Assessed transmission rates (TR) using Bayesian analyses and defined priority clusters based on case numbers, TR, IDUs, and TDR.
Main Results:
- CRF01_AE was the predominant subtype (71.0%), followed by CRF07_BC (18.1%) and subtype B (4.5%).
- Optimal genetic distance thresholds were determined for major subtypes (e.g., 0.007 subs/site for CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC).
- Ten priority clusters, including eight large clusters with significantly higher TR than the general population, were identified for targeted interventions.
Conclusions:
- A comprehensive approach combining molecular network analysis with epidemiological data effectively identifies priority HIV-1 intervention targets.
- Subtype-specific genetic distance thresholds are vital for accurate molecular network construction.
- This strategy is particularly valuable in regions with non-subtype B HIV-1 epidemics.
