Genetic diversity of multiple human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) clades in West Papua

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) genetic variability is classified into types, groups, and subtypes. HIV is divided into 2 types, HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 was divided into groups M (Main), N (New), and O (Outlier). Group M was divided into 9 subtypes and 48 Circulating Recombinant Form (CRF). Understanding HIV-1 subtype distribution and epidemiology can assist preventive measures and clinical decisions. Sequence variation may affect drug resistance, disease progression, and transmission route. This study aimed to determine human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) subtypes which circulate in West Papua based on gene fragments encoding the glycoprotein-41 (gp41) of the HIV envelope. The descriptive-analytic method was attended at the VCT clinic in West Papua. Samples of blood plasma from patients with HIV were amplified using RT-PCR and nested PCR. Genetic variability was analyzed using DNA sequencing. The HIV-1 subtype was determined for 35 samples which 15 were from female patients and 20 were from male patients. 3 subtypes were detected: Circulating Recombinant Form AE (CRF01_AE, n=21), B (n=12), and 52_01B (n=2). Subtypes AE predominated in HIV-1 acquired heterosexually 100 % and clinical stage level III. Subtypes AE strains of group M viruses predominated in West Papua in HIV transmitted by heterosexual contact.