HIV-1 subtype B’ dictates the AIDS epidemic among paid blood donors in the Henan and Hubei provinces of China

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic background of HIV-1 strains among infected paid blood donors (PBD) in the Henan and Hubei provinces of China. METHODS: The polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify HIV-1 gag p17 fragments and some 5'-half or full-length viral genomes from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The HIV-1 sequences obtained were analysed using phylogenetic and recombinant approaches. RESULTS: Among the total of 62 samples studied, 59 (95.2%) came from PBD. Of those 59 PBD, 45 were collected from 14 different geographical locations in Henan, whereas the remaining 14 were from five locations in Hubei. A total of 62 HIV-1 gag p17 fragments, three 5'-half and one full HIV-1 genome sequences were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences suggests that PBD from Henan and Hubei, despite being geographically distant, harbored a group of genetically closely related HIV-1 B' strains. No recombinant forms have been detected in this cohort. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the AIDS epidemic among PBD in Henan and Hubei is caused largely by HIV-1 subtype B', which contrasts greatly with the CB' recombinant strains CRF-07 and CRF-08 currently dominating among the drug abusers in other regions of China. Our report has revealed the first complete genome background of the most dominant circulating HIV-1 strain in Henan and Hubei, which is essential for the design and development of an effective AIDS vaccine for the region.