Multiple HIV-1 Subtypes Were Found Circulating in Shijingshan District of Beijing, China

Abstract High level of HIV prevalence was found in some specific areas or populations in China. Shijingshan district was one of the areas with rapid increase of newly reported HIV cases in Beijing, China. Comprehensive investigation on HIV genetic characteristics is necessary in the district. In this study, we enrolled 223 newly identified HIV-1 sero-positive drug-naive patients from Shijingshan district. The full-length gag, pol, and partial env gene sequences were amplified and sequenced. Genetic characterization and transmission of drug resistance of HIV-1 were further investigated. Many stains, including CRF01_AE (48.25%), CRF07_BC (31.47%), subtype B (4.9%), 55_01B (1.40%), 59_01B (0.70%), 65_cpx (2.10%), 79_0107 (0.70%), and A (0.70%) and unique recombinant forms (URF) of 0107 (6.29%), 01B (1.40%), and 01BC (2.10%), were identified. Among 106 strains that harbor full-length PR gene, 10 (9.43%) strains contain mutations associated with drug resistance to protease inhibitors. Among 59 strains that har...