The inference of HIV-1 transmission direction between a man who has sex with men and his heterosexual wife based on the sequences of HIV-1 quasi-species

Emerg Microbes Infect. 2021 Dec;10(1):1209-1216. doi: 10.1080/22221751.2021.1938693.

Abstract

Currently, homosexual transmission has become one of the main routes of HIV-1 spread in China. Furthermore, about 80% Chinese men, who have sex with men (MSM), feel forced to enter eventually into heterosexual marriages due to the Chinese traditional marriage culture, which may cause HIV-1 infection in families. In this study, we identified HIV-1 transmission in a family and the direction of HIV-1 transmission from a MSM to his wife and infant, which indicated Chinese MSM may have become a potential bridge of HIV-1 transmission to their wives and children. Therefore, we need to develop more effective defence measures to prevent the spread of HIV-1 in MSM families in China.

Keywords: HIV-1; MSM; marriage; single-genome sequencing; transmission relationship.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • China
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Female
  • Genes, env
  • Genes, pol
  • HIV Infections / transmission*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / genetics*
  • Heterosexuality
  • Homosexuality, Male*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Phylogeny
  • Quasispecies

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 81571991 to M.W.], Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, Nankai University (63191169 to M.W.), and 13th Five-year National Major Project for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B Control and Prevention, Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (2017ZX10202102005004 to P.M).