[Relationship between strain subtypes and transmission of HIV infection within marriage-based immigrant women in rural area of Zhejiang province].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between strain subtypes and transmission of HIV infection on marriage-based immigrant women, their spouses and children in rural area of Zhejiang province.

METHODS: Marriage-based immigrant women with HIV infection, their HIV infected spouses and children in rural area in Zhejiang province, were selected as study objects. Analysis on genetic sequence and epidemiologic information was carried out. Subgenomic gag was amplified by nest-PCR analysis on the whole blood samples. Genetic subtype characterization and the source of HIV strains were analyzed. Relationships on sequences were also examined by phylogenetic tree analysis.

RESULTS: Genetic sequences of 72 samples from HIV infected marriage-based immigrant women were obtained. The genetic subtypes comprised 21 CRF01_AE (29.2%), 12 CRF07_BC (16.7%), 31 CRF08_BC (43.1%), 6 B (8.3%), 2 C (2.8%). HIV strains from 45 cases (62.5%) were similar to the prevalent HIV strains in the province where former census of marriage-based immigrant women were registered. In total, there were 26 (70.3%) cases from Yunnan province. 84.7% of the infected women had heterosexual behaviors before settling down in Zhejiang province. Genetic sequences of 17 pairs showed the same subtype between the couples and data from phylogenetic tree analysis supported the assumption of transmission linkage in the family.

CONCLUSION: The HIV subtype strains detected in those HIV infected marriage-based immigrant women in the rural area of Zhejiang province characterized with diversity, showing CRF08_BC and CRF01_AE were the main HIV strain subtypes. HIV infection originated mainly from Yunnan province and nearby regions. Heterosexual behaviors of the marriage-based immigrant women in the original region where they had their residence registration, seemed to be the primary high risk factors for these women. Surveillance and intervention programs on these marriage-based immigrant women and their family members should be improved.