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Updated: May 24, 2025

Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
Published on: September 26, 2011
The origin and dissemination of HIV-1 subtype B on Hainan Island, South China, 2007-2024
Chunyun Lu1, Kaokao Zhu2, Nengde Zhang1
1School of Public Health, Heinz Mehlhorn Academician Workstation, Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan, 571199, China.
Background:
HIV-1 subtype B, introduced to mainland China at an early stage, rapidly spread among commercial plasma donors and heterosexuals (HETs) during the 1990s. It was first identified in Hainan, which has a population of 10 million, in 2007. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data about the molecular-epidemiological characteristics, spatial origins, and transmission patterns of this strain on the island of China.
Methods:
Pol sequences for HIV-1 subtype B from Hainan Island (2007-2024) were obtained from our research and global databases. An analysis of phylogenetic data, molecular clock models, and a Bayesian coalescent-based approach was performed to investigate how HIV-1 subtype B was introduced and disseminated on this island.
Results:
A total of 76 sequences were obtained from Hainan Island, of which 52.63% were collected from men who have sex with men (MSM). Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that HIV-1 subtype B circulating on the island was closely related to HIV-1 sequence lineages in Guangdong (22.84%, 127/556), Hubei (12.59%, 70/556), and Beijing (14.03%, 78/556), indicating multiple introductions from various cities in China. Bayesian time-scaled phylogenetic reconstructions revealed that 27 Hainan sequences were together in clusters [posterior probability (PP) > 0.90], and 18 Hainan sequences were intermixed in larger clades containing sequences from other provinces (PP > 0.90). Bayes factors (BF) demonstrated that subtype B on the Island originated from Guangdong Province (BF > 100) in 1999.9 (95% HPD:1996.7, 2002.7) and Hubei Province (BF > 100) in 2007.9 (95% HPD:2004.4, 2011.2). Subsequently, HIV-1 subtype B was introduced to Beijing from the island (BF > 100). The analysis of viral migration patterns among risk subgroups revealed that subtype B was introduced to the island by MSMs (BF > 100). Within the island, this strain was from MSM to HETs (BF > 100).
Conclusion:
Using Hainan Island as a case study, our findings shed light on the intricate evolution and transmission dynamics of HIV-1 subtype B on the island, revealing crucial insights for HIV prevention efforts in the future.
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