Nucleotide Sequence of HIV-1-Positive Specimen Reference Panel for Evaluation of HIV In Vitro Diagnostics in Japan

HIV-1 subtype/circulating recombinant form (CRF) distribution of HIV-1-positive specimens for evaluating HIV in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) was examined and compared with the HIV-1 epidemic in Japan. The nucleotide sequences of the gag-pol region of 173 plasma specimens (84, provided in 2007, and 89 in 2013-2015) were determined. HIV-1 subtype/CRF classification was performed based on the phylogenetic analyses of the sequences. The subtype/CRF distribution resulting in this study was similar to that of a previous epidemiological report. Three CRF02_AG and one unique recombinant form, including subtype G and A regions, were observed in the 2013 and 2014 specimens, except in the 2007 specimens. The reference panel consisting of these specimens was practical for the evaluation of HIV IVDs in Japan.