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A Restriction Enzyme Based Cloning Method to Assess the In vitro Replication Capacity of HIV-1 Subtype C Gag-MJ4 Chimeric Viruses
Published on: August 31, 2014
HIV-1 subtype diversity in Europe
Miłosz Parczewski1, Karol Serwin1, Dimitros Paraskevis2
1Department of Infectious, Tropical Diseases and Immune Deficiency, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
The Lancet. HIV
|June 10, 2026
Summary
The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic in Europe is diversifying beyond subtype B. This viral diversity impacts treatment resistance, particularly sub-subtype A6, and requires updated prevention and surveillance strategies.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Historically, subtype B dominated HIV-1 epidemics in Western and Central Europe.
- The WHO European region now exhibits a complex mix of HIV-1 variants, including non-B subtypes, circulating recombinant forms (CRFs), and unique recombinant forms (URFs).
- Subtype A, especially sub-subtype A6, is prevalent in Eastern Europe, contributing to the region's substantial HIV-1 burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving epidemiology of HIV-1 variants across the WHO European region.
- To highlight the implications of increasing HIV-1 genetic diversity on public health strategies.
- To discuss how viral diversity influences treatment, prevention, and surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on HIV-1 subtypes and recombinant forms in Europe.
- Analysis of trends in HIV-1 variant distribution across different European regions.
- Synthesis of emerging clinical and laboratory findings related to viral diversity and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Significant diversification of HIV-1 beyond subtype B across Europe, with regional variations.
- Sub-subtype A6 is dominant in Eastern Europe and shows potential for increased resistance to cabotegravir-based therapies.
- Recombinant forms are increasingly recognized across all European regions, indicating ongoing viral evolution.
Conclusions:
- Growing HIV-1 genetic diversity in Europe necessitates adaptive prevention, treatment, and surveillance strategies.
- Understanding subtype dynamics is crucial for optimizing the effectiveness of current and future HIV interventions, including long-acting injectables and broadly neutralizing antibodies.
- Regional surveillance efforts must account for the changing landscape of HIV-1 variants to effectively control the epidemic.
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