Genetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms
Abstract Background The genetic diversity of HIV is significantly influenced by second-generation recombination events involving circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) and unique recombinant forms (URFs), which are crucial for the virus’s evolution and dissemination. The China-Myanmar border region is...
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2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02863-y |
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| author | Ying-Na Xie Zheng-Xu Li Ya-Ting Chen Yong-Juan Li Zhu-Qian Yang Yuan Ren Zi-Xuan Yang Xin Chen |
| author_facet | Ying-Na Xie Zheng-Xu Li Ya-Ting Chen Yong-Juan Li Zhu-Qian Yang Yuan Ren Zi-Xuan Yang Xin Chen |
| author_sort | Ying-Na Xie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The genetic diversity of HIV is significantly influenced by second-generation recombination events involving circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) and unique recombinant forms (URFs), which are crucial for the virus’s evolution and dissemination. The China-Myanmar border region is recognized as a focal point for inter-subtype recombination of HIV, with recombinant strains predominating in this area. Methods Near full-length HIV genomes were amplified from plasma samples of eight Burmese individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in Baoshan, China, from 2006 to 2020. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum likelihood methods, and Bootscan analysis was conducted to identify recombination structures. Results Among the eight sequences, one (YN33F28) clustered with subtype C, and one (YN9M24) with CRF08_BC. The remaining six sequences did not cluster with any known HIV subtypes, indicating they might represent novel recombinant strains. Bootscan analysis revealed that three sequences (YN36F38, YN35F22, and YN32M22) were likely formed through second-generation recombination involving known CRFs (CRF82_cpx and CRF86_BC) and a URF (KY406739). Additionally, three sequences (YN34F21, YN7F27, and YN8F28) were identified as newly formed URFs, resulting from complex recombination events between HIV subtypes B, C, and CRF01_AE. Conclusion These results underscore the continuous evolution of HIV via recombination in the China-Myanmar border region. The identification of second-generation recombinants and newly formed URFs highlights the importance of continuous molecular surveillance to better understand HIV diversity and to inform strategies for prevention, treatment, and vaccine development. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eb0aa5bbbb894ae29948eef836a1f7ab |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1743-422X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Virology Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-eb0aa5bbbb894ae29948eef836a1f7ab2025-08-20T03:04:10ZengBMCVirology Journal1743-422X2025-07-012211810.1186/s12985-025-02863-yGenetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant formsYing-Na Xie0Zheng-Xu Li1Ya-Ting Chen2Yong-Juan Li3Zhu-Qian Yang4Yuan Ren5Zi-Xuan Yang6Xin Chen7Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical UniversityDepartment of HIV/AIDS and STD Prevention and Control, Baoshan Center for Disease Control and PreventionDepartment of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical UniversityBaoshan People’s HospitalBaoshan People’s HospitalSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Baoshan College of Traditional Chinese MedicineBaoshan People’s HospitalDepartment of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical UniversityAbstract Background The genetic diversity of HIV is significantly influenced by second-generation recombination events involving circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) and unique recombinant forms (URFs), which are crucial for the virus’s evolution and dissemination. The China-Myanmar border region is recognized as a focal point for inter-subtype recombination of HIV, with recombinant strains predominating in this area. Methods Near full-length HIV genomes were amplified from plasma samples of eight Burmese individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in Baoshan, China, from 2006 to 2020. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using maximum likelihood methods, and Bootscan analysis was conducted to identify recombination structures. Results Among the eight sequences, one (YN33F28) clustered with subtype C, and one (YN9M24) with CRF08_BC. The remaining six sequences did not cluster with any known HIV subtypes, indicating they might represent novel recombinant strains. Bootscan analysis revealed that three sequences (YN36F38, YN35F22, and YN32M22) were likely formed through second-generation recombination involving known CRFs (CRF82_cpx and CRF86_BC) and a URF (KY406739). Additionally, three sequences (YN34F21, YN7F27, and YN8F28) were identified as newly formed URFs, resulting from complex recombination events between HIV subtypes B, C, and CRF01_AE. Conclusion These results underscore the continuous evolution of HIV via recombination in the China-Myanmar border region. The identification of second-generation recombinants and newly formed URFs highlights the importance of continuous molecular surveillance to better understand HIV diversity and to inform strategies for prevention, treatment, and vaccine development.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02863-yHIVGenetic diversityRecombinationRevolutionMolecular epidemiology |
| spellingShingle | Ying-Na Xie Zheng-Xu Li Ya-Ting Chen Yong-Juan Li Zhu-Qian Yang Yuan Ren Zi-Xuan Yang Xin Chen Genetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms Virology Journal HIV Genetic diversity Recombination Revolution Molecular epidemiology |
| title | Genetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms |
| title_full | Genetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms |
| title_fullStr | Genetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms |
| title_short | Genetic diversity of HIV in Yunnan, China: the role of second-generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms |
| title_sort | genetic diversity of hiv in yunnan china the role of second generation recombination involving circulating and unique recombinant forms |
| topic | HIV Genetic diversity Recombination Revolution Molecular epidemiology |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12985-025-02863-y |
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