Identification of a novel circulating recombinant form (CRF3301B) disseminating widely among various risk populations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A molecular epidemiological investigation was conducted among various risk populations (n = 184) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2003 to 2005, on the basis of nucleotide sequences of protease and reverse transcriptase regions. In addition to circulating HIV-1 strains, including CRF01AE (57.1), subtype...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tee, K.K., Li, X.J., Nohtomi, K., Ng, K.P., Kamarulzaman, Adeeba, Takebe, Y.
Format: Article
Published: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins 2006
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Online Access:http://eprints.um.edu.my/4588/
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Summary:A molecular epidemiological investigation was conducted among various risk populations (n = 184) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2003 to 2005, on the basis of nucleotide sequences of protease and reverse transcriptase regions. In addition to circulating HIV-1 strains, including CRF01AE (57.1), subtype B (20.1), and subtype C (0.5), we detected a candidate with a new circulating recombinant form (CRF). We determined four near-full-length nucleotide sequences with identical subtype structure from epidemiologically unlinked individuals of different risk and ethnic groups. In this chimera, two short subtype B segments were inserted into the gag-RT region in a backbone of CRF01AE. The recombinant structure was distinct from previously identified CRF1501B in Thailand. In agreement with the current HIV nomenclature system, this constitutes a novel CRF (CRF3301B). The overall prevalence of CRF3301B is 19.0 (35/184). Although the prevalence of CRF3301B is particularly high among injecting drug users (42.0, 21/50), it is also detected in a substantial proportion of homo-/bisexual males (18.8, 3/16) and heterosexuals (9.8, 9/92). Moreover, unique recombinant forms composed of CRF01AE and subtype B that have a significant structural relationship with CRF3301B were detected in 1.6 (3/184) of study subjects, suggesting an ongoing recombination process in Malaysia. This new CRF seems to be bridging viral transmission between different risk populations in this country.