Epidemic characteristics of local HIV-2 transmission across Hunan province, China

Abstract

Abstract Objects: To understand the epidemic characteristics of HIV-2 across Hunan province, China, through sequence analysis. Methods: This study enrolledall 13 subjects that were diagnosed as HIV-2 infection during 2017~2023 in Hunan province, China. The HIV-2 env and polregions were amplified, folloed by Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic and molecular propagation network analysis were employed to discern molecular characteristics and transmission patterns. Result: All the 13 subjects acquired HIV-2 through heterosexual contact. They included 6 males and 7 females, while their median age was 54 years. These subjects included 3 couples of either sexual partners or married couples (HN001 and HN013, HN010 and HN011, as well as HN008 and HN009). Subject HN004 was reported to have commercial sexual activity engagement. In addition, Subjects HN001, HN003, HN008, and HN010 had participated in commercial sexual activities at the location that HN004 served as a sexual worker. Via phylogenetic tree analysis on the pol gene, sequences from all subjects were closely neighboring with the reference sequences from Gambia (Sub-type A). Using a genetic distance threshold of 1.5%, 7 out of the 13 subjects could be integrated into a molecular transmission network, and HN002 and HN004 were identified as the central nodes. Conclusion: During 2017~2023, all HIV-2 infected patients in Hunan province, China, acquired HIV-2 through a traceable route, while similar HIV-2 strains were transmitting among these patients.