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Origin and evolution of subtype B variants in the former Soviet Union countries
Aidana Mustafa1, Burkitkan Akbay1, Salima Davlidova1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nazarbayev School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.
Summary
HIV subtype B infections increased 43% in Eastern Europe and Central Asia from 2010-2020. This study traced the origin and transmission routes, identifying men who have sex with men as the primary high-risk group.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Eastern Europe and Central Asia show a 43% rise in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2020, bucking global trends.
- Limited phylogenetic and transmission route analyses exist for HIV-1 subtype B in the former Soviet Union (FSU).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin and transmission routes of HIV subtype B within FSU countries.
- To understand the evolutionary history and spread of HIV subtype B in the region.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses were conducted.
- Utilized 21,007 publicly available HIV-1 subtype B sequences from Europe and Asia, including thirteen FSU countries.
Main Results:
- The BFSU strain appears to have evolved more recently in FSU countries compared to Western European variants.
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) were identified as the primary high-risk group for subtype B transmission.
- Intermixing of transmission clusters and spread to the general population indicate the epidemic is no longer confined to key populations.
Conclusions:
- Urgent improvement of HIV harm-reduction strategies is needed for both high-risk and general populations in the FSU region.
- The findings highlight the dynamic nature of the HIV epidemic and the need for adaptive public health interventions.
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