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Alexiev I, Mavian C, Paisie T, Ciccozzi M, Dimitrova R, Gancheva A, Kostadinova A, Seguin-Devaux C, Salemi M. Analysis of the Origin and Dissemination of HIV-1 Subtype C in Bulgaria. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020263. [PMID: 35215855 PMCID: PMC8875591 DOI: 10.3390/v14020263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 subtype C is the most abundant strain of HIV-1 infections worldwide and was found in the first known patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in Bulgaria in 1986. However, there is limited information on the molecular-epidemiological characteristics of this strain in the epidemic of the country. In this study, we analyze the evolutionary history of the introduction and dissemination of HIV-1 subtype C in Bulgaria using global phylogenetic analysis, Bayesian coalescent-based approach, and molecular clock methods. All available samples with HIV-1 subtype C from individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between 1986 and 2017 were analyzed. Men and women were equally represented, and 24.3% of patients reported being infected abroad. The global phylogenetic analysis indicated multiple introductions of HIV-1 subtype C from various countries of the world. The reconstruction of a Bayesian time-scaled phylogenies showed that several Bulgarian strains segregated together in clusters, while others were intermixed in larger clades containing strains isolated from both European and non-European countries. The time-scale of HIV-1 subtype C introductions in Bulgaria demonstrates the early introduction of these viruses in the country. Our in-depth phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses are compatible with a scenario of multiple early introductions in the country followed by limited local distribution in the subsequent years. HIV-1 subtype C was introduced in the early years of the epidemic, originating from different countries of the world. Due to the comprehensive measures for prevention and control in the early years of the epidemic in Bulgaria, HIV-1 subtype C was not widely disseminated among the general population of the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivailo Alexiev
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.D.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +359-2-9318071
| | - Carla Mavian
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (C.M.); (T.P.); (M.S.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Taylor Paisie
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (C.M.); (T.P.); (M.S.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Unit of Medical Statistics and Molecular Epidemiology, University Campus Bio-Medico, 00128 Rome, Italy;
| | - Reneta Dimitrova
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.D.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Gancheva
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.D.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Asya Kostadinova
- National Reference Laboratory of HIV, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, 1233 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.D.); (A.G.); (A.K.)
| | - Carole Seguin-Devaux
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, L-4354 Luxembourg, Luxembourg;
| | - Marco Salemi
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (C.M.); (T.P.); (M.S.)
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Bagaglio S, Uberti-Foppa C, Sagnelli C, Lai A, Hasson H, Salpietro S, Messina E, Morsica G, Zaffina C, Sica A, Lazzarin A, Angeletti S, Sagnelli E, Foley B, Ciccozzi M. HIV-1 recombinant forms in immigrants regularly residing in Milan, northern Italy. Infection 2020; 48:553-558. [PMID: 32430647 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-020-01434-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
To assess the HIV -1subtypes distribution in HIV-1 positive migrants living in Milan we studied 77 HIV-1 patients followed at the San Raffaele Hospital of Milan. Twenty subjects were born in Europe, 43 in the Americas, 10 in Africa and 4 in Asia. Unsafe heterosexual activity prevailed in migrants born in Africa and male homosexuality in those born in European, American and Asian countries (p = 0.05). The phylogeny showed that 38/77 (49.3%) subjects carried HIV-B subtype while the remaining strains were classified as not pure HIV-1 B subtypes 13/77 (16.9%) or recombinant forms 26/77 (33.8%). Female gender more frequently showed HIV-1 non-B strains and rarely HIV-1 B subtypes (12/39, 30.8% vs. 3/38, 7.9%, p = 0.02). Transmitted drug resistance was identified in 10/77 (13%) patients predominately with B subtype. Our data underscore a large heterogeneity in HIV-1 subtypes and a large proportion of recombinant forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Bagaglio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Uberti-Foppa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Caterina Sagnelli
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via L. Armanni 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Lai
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Hamid Hasson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Salpietro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Messina
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Morsica
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Zaffina
- Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Sica
- Department of Precision Medicine, Campania University Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Adriano Lazzarin
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Angeletti
- Laboratory Clinical Science, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
| | - Evangelista Sagnelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Vita-Salute University, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Brian Foley
- Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Laboratory Clinical Science, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) is characterised by a vast genetic diversity classified into distinct phylogenetic strains and recombinant forms. We describe the HIV-1 molecular epidemiology and evolution of 129 consecutive HIV-1 positive migrants living in Milan (northern Italy). Polymerase gene sequences of 116 HIV-1 subtype-B positive patients were aligned with HIV-1 reference sequences (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) by using MAFFT alignment and edited by using Bioedit software. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic tree was performed by MEGA7 and was visualised by using FigTree v1.4.3. Of 129 migrants, 35 were born in Europe (28 in Eastern Europe), 70 in the Americas (67 in South America), 15 in Africa and nine in Asia; 76.4% were men who have sex with men (MSM). The serotype HIV-1-B prevailed (89.9%), followed by -C, -F1, -D and -A. Compared with 116 HIV-B patients, the 13 with HIV-non-B showed lower Nadir of CD4+ cell/mmc (P = 0.043), more frequently had sub Saharan origin (38.5 vs. 1.72%, P = 0.0001) and less frequently were MSM (40 vs. 74.5%, P = 0.02). The ML phylogenetic tree of the 116 HIV-1 subtype-B positive patients showed 13 statistically supported nodes (bootstrap > 70%). Most of the sequences included in these nodes have been isolated from male patients from the Americas and the most common risk factor was MSM. The low number of HIV-1 non-B subtype patients did not allow to perform this analysis. These results suggest a shift of HIV-1 prevention projects' focus and a continuous monitoring of HIV-1 molecular epidemiology among entry populations. Prevention efforts based on HIV molecular epidemiology may improve public health surveillance setting.
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Chung YS, Choi JY, Yoo MS, Seong JH, Choi BS, Kang C. Phylogenetic transmission clusters among newly diagnosed antiretroviral drug-naïve patients with human immunodeficiency virus-1 in Korea: A study from 1999 to 2012. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217817. [PMID: 31166970 PMCID: PMC6550428 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Population-level phylogenetic patterns reflect both transmission dynamics and genetic changes, which accumulate because of selection or drift. In this study, we determined whether a longitudinally sampled dataset derived from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-infected individuals over a 14-year period (1999–2012) could shed light on the transmission processes involved in the initiation of the HIV-1 epidemic in Korea. In total, 927 sequences were acquired from 1999 to 2012; each sequence was acquired from an individual patient who had not received treatment. Sequences were used for drug resistance and phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic and other analyses were conducted using MEGA version 6.06 based on the GTR G+I parameter model and SAS. Of the 927 samples, 863 (93.1%) were classified as subtype B and 64 were classified as other subtypes. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that 104 of 927 patient samples (11.2%) were grouped into 37 clusters. Being part of a transmission cluster was significantly associated with subtype-B viruses, infection via sexual contact, and the infection of young males. Of all clusters, three (~8.1%) that comprised 10 individual samples (22.2% of 45 individuals) included at least one member with total transmitted drug resistance (TDR). In summary, HIV transmission cluster analyses can integrate laboratory data with behavioral data to enable the identification of key transmission patterns to develop tailored interventions aimed at interrupting transmission chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Seok Chung
- Division of Viral Diseases, Center for Laboratory Control and Infectious Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Yeon Choi
- Division of Viral Diseases, Center for Laboratory Control and Infectious Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Myoung-Su Yoo
- Division of Viral Diseases Research, Center for Research of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyun Seong
- Division of Viral Diseases Research, Center for Research of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong-Sun Choi
- Division of Viral Diseases Research, Center for Research of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Chun Kang
- Division of Viral Diseases, Center for Laboratory Control and Infectious Diseases, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Understanding HIV-1 transmission dynamics is relevant to both screening and intervention strategies of HIV-1 infection. Commonly, HIV-1 transmission chains are determined based on sequence similarity assessed either directly from a sequence alignment or by inferring a phylogenetic tree. This review is aimed at both nonexperts interested in understanding and interpreting studies of HIV-1 transmission, and experts interested in finding the most appropriate cluster definition for a specific dataset and research question. We start by introducing the concepts and methodologies of how HIV-1 transmission clusters usually have been defined. We then present the results of a systematic review of 105 HIV-1 molecular epidemiology studies summarizing the most common methods and definitions in the literature. Finally, we offer our perspectives on how HIV-1 transmission clusters can be defined and provide some guidance based on examples from real life datasets.
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Sallam M, Esbjörnsson J, Baldvinsdóttir G, Indriðason H, Björnsdóttir TB, Widell A, Gottfreðsson M, Löve A, Medstrand P. Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Iceland: Early introductions, transmission dynamics and recent outbreaks among injection drug users. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2017; 49:157-163. [PMID: 28082188 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2017.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Paraskevis D, Nikolopoulos GK, Magiorkinis G, Hodges-Mameletzis I, Hatzakis A. The application of HIV molecular epidemiology to public health. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 46:159-168. [PMID: 27312102 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
HIV is responsible for one of the largest viral pandemics in human history. Despite a concerted global response for prevention and treatment, the virus persists. Thus, urgent public health action, utilizing novel interventions, is needed to prevent future transmission events, critical to eliminating HIV. For public health planning to prove effective and successful, we need to understand the dynamics of regional epidemics and to intervene appropriately. HIV molecular epidemiology tools as implemented in phylogenetic, phylodynamic and phylogeographic analyses have proven to be powerful tools in public health planning across many studies. Numerous applications with HIV suggest that molecular methods alone or in combination with mathematical modelling can provide inferences about the transmission dynamics, critical epidemiological parameters (prevalence, incidence, effective number of infections, Re, generation times, time between infection and diagnosis), or the spatiotemporal characteristics of epidemics. Molecular tools have been used to assess the impact of an intervention and outbreak investigation which are of great public health relevance. In some settings, molecular sequence data may be more readily available than HIV surveillance data, and can therefore allow for molecular analyses to be conducted more easily. Nonetheless, classic methods have an integral role in monitoring and evaluation of public health programmes, and should supplement emerging techniques from the field of molecular epidemiology. Importantly, molecular epidemiology remains a promising approach in responding to viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - G K Nikolopoulos
- Hellenic Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Maroussi, Greece
| | - G Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, OX1 3PS, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - A Hatzakis
- Hellenic Center for Diseases Control and Prevention, Maroussi, Greece
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Serafino S, Cella E, Montagna C, Cavallari EN, Vittozzi P, Lo Presti A, Giovanetti M, Mazzuti L, Turriziani O, Ceccarelli G, d'Ettorre G, Vullo V, Ciccozzi M. An epidemiological investigation to reconstruct a probable human immunodeficiency virus-1 transmission network: a case report. J Med Case Rep 2015; 9:253. [PMID: 26527158 PMCID: PMC4630910 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-015-0717-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently published studies have highlighted the importance of phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses in supporting epidemiological investigations to reconstruct the transmission network of human immunodeficiency virus. Here, we report a case of sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 between a man and a woman that marks once more the importance of a tightened collaboration between phylogeny and epidemiology. CASE PRESENTATION We describe a case of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 subtype B transmission in a stable Caucasian heterosexual couple. The man was 30 years old and the woman was 21 years old at the time of their presentation to the Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases of the University of Rome "Sapienza". The couple reported a history of drug abuse. CONCLUSION Phylogenetic analysis is a powerful technique that if properly used can prove valuable in research investigations. In the case presented here, a phylogenetic analysis alongside epidemiological evidence allowed us to determine the most probable source of the human immunodeficiency virus infection. The dated tree allowed us to date the transmission event, the time point, and the direction of transmission based on the phylogeny, which agreed with the presumptive time of infection determined from clinical history-taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Serafino
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Cella
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Reference Centre on Phylogeny, Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
| | - Claudia Montagna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | | | - Pietro Vittozzi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Lo Presti
- Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Reference Centre on Phylogeny, Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
| | - Marta Giovanetti
- Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Reference Centre on Phylogeny, Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Mazzuti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Ombretta Turriziani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Virology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Ceccarelli
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Gabriella d'Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Vullo
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimo Ciccozzi
- Department of Infectious Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Reference Centre on Phylogeny, Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Evolution (FEMEM)/Epidemiology Unit, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy. .,University of Biomedical Campus, Rome, Italy. .,Epidemiology Unit, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità- V.le Regina Elena, 299 - 00161, Roma, Italy.
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Sagnelli C, Ciccozzi M, Pisaturo M, Zehender G, Lo Presti A, Alessio L, Starace M, Lovero D, Sagnelli E, Coppola N. Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis B virus genotypes circulating in acute hepatitis B patients in the Campania region. J Med Virol 2014; 86:1683-93. [PMID: 24980631 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fifty-three HBV-DNA-positive patients with symptomatic acute hepatitis B were enrolled from 1999 to 2010 to evaluate molecular and phylogenetic changes in HBV in southern Italy. HBV polymerase region was evaluated by direct sequencing in plasma samples obtained at first observation. Different data sets were aligned and a phylogenetic tree was inferred using PhyML program. Statistical robustness was confirmed with a bootstrap analysis. A Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method and a Bayesian skyline plot were used to estimate the evolution of our samples. The dN/dS rate (ω) was estimated by the maximum likelihood approach to investigate the presence of codons under positive selection. The MacClade program was used to test viral gene out/in flow only among HBV-D3 subgenotype patients with different risk factors. Of the 53 patients, 83% were born in Italy and 17% were foreigners. HBV genotype D was prevalent (64.1%), followed by genotype A (26.4%), E (3.8%), and F (5.7%). The prevalent subgenotype was D3 (70.6%). The Bayesian tree of the 24 D3 subgenotypes showed two main clades both dated 1994; 40% of viral gene flow observed was from intravenous drugs users and heterosexual patients. Phylogenetic analysis of HBV isolates showed that HBV-D3 remains the prevalent genotype, but also subgenotype A2 has become frequent in southern Italy. This may be of clinical relevance in years to come, since patients with HBV-genotype-A chronic infection less frequently than those with genotype D develop HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis and respond more frequently to alfa-interferon treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Sagnelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Surgery "F. Magrassi e A. Lanzara", Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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Circulation of HIV-1 CRF02_AG among MSM population in central Italy: a molecular epidemiology-based study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:810617. [PMID: 24369538 PMCID: PMC3863479 DOI: 10.1155/2013/810617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Revised: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. The evolutionary and demographic history of the circular recombinant form CRF02_AG in a selected retrospective group of HIV-1 infected men who have sex with men (MSM) resident in Central Italy was investigated. Methods. A total of 55 HIV-1 subtype CRF02_AG pol sequences were analyzed using Bayesian methods and a relaxed molecular clock to reconstruct their dated phylogeny and estimate population dynamics. Results. Dated phylogeny indicated that the HIV-1 CRF02_AG strains currently circulating in Central Italy originated in the early 90's. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of a main HIV-1 CRF02_AG clade, introduced in the area of Rome before 2000 and subsequently differentiated in two different subclades with a different date of introduction (2000 versus 2005). All the sequences within clusters were interspersed, indicating that the MSM analyzed form a close and restricted network where the individuals, also moving within different clinical centers, attend the same places to meet and exchange sex. Conclusions. It was suggested that the HIV-1 CRF02_AG epidemic entered central Italy in the early 1990s, with a similar trend observed in western Europe.
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Ciccozzi M, Lo Presti A, Ciccaglione AR, Zehender G, Ciotti M. Phylogeny and phylodinamic of Hepatitis C in Italy. BMC Infect Dis 2012; 12 Suppl 2:S5. [PMID: 23173700 PMCID: PMC3495630 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2334-12-s2-s5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is one of the most pressing health emergencies in the world with a global prevalence of about 170 million people chronically infected worldwide. In Europe, Italy has the highest HCV prevalence (3 - 4.4%) with peaks of 12.6 - 26% in Southern regions and the major islands. In Italy HCV genotype 1b prevails, and genotype 4 is mainly found in the south of the country where the prevalence is particularly high in regions such as Calabria. Phylogenetics analysis is a molecular tool widely used to study rapidly-evolving RNA viruses that establish chronic infections such as HCV. Searching the scientific literature, it was found that thirty-nine genetic studies on HCV genotypes have been carried out in Italy between 1997 to 2012 years. However, phylogenetic analysis was performed only in fourteen out of thirty-nine HCV studies (36%) considered. Monitoring the genetic evolution of HCV is an essential step to control the local as well as global HCV epidemic and to develop efficient preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Ciccozzi
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
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