Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 among blood donors in Dalian: 2011~2020 / 中国输血杂志

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To investigate HIV-1 subtype distribution and trend among Dalian blood donors between 2011 and 2020, in order to provide information to improve blood safety and HIV prevention. 【Methods】 HIV RNA was purified from plasma samples of Dalian blood donors with confirmed HIV infection, which were collected between 2011 and 2020. The HIV pol gene was amplified and sequenced. HIV-1 subtypes were determined by phylogenetic analysis. 【Results】 HIV RNA was successfully genotyped in 174 samples from HIV-infected donors. The main subtypes among Dalian blood donors were CRF01_AE(69.5%), CRF07_BC(17.2%), B(5.2%), CRF02_AG(2.9%), C(1.1%), CRF55_01B(1.1%), CRF08_BC(0.6%), CRF59_01B(0.6%) and CRF79_0107(0.6%). There were still 2 cases (1.1%) unclassified. Significant difference was observed when comparing with the published national data. The prevalence of CRF01_AE strains decreased over the years, while CRF07_BC increased significantly. CRF02_AG carriers differed from donors infected with other HIV subtypes by being mostly females (40.0% vs. 2.4%), aged (median 35y vs. 26y) and lower educational background(junior school degree or below). And 96.7% of local CRF01_AE cases were related to HIV strains, which were reported to circulate in Northeast China and in the MSM population. 【Conclusion】 HIV-1 among Dalian blood donors had unique molecular epidemiology and the trends of 07_BC increasing and 01_AE decreasing lagged behind the overall national data. Donor education on blood safety and consultation services to high risk group before donation still need improvement.