# Molecular Epidemiological Surveillance of HIV-1 Genotypes and Drug Resistance Profiles in Wuhan, Central China

## TL;DR

This study tracks HIV-1 subtypes and drug resistance in Wuhan, China, to understand local transmission patterns and guide treatment.

## Contribution

The study provides updated molecular surveillance data on HIV-1 genotypes and drug resistance in Wuhan, Central China.

## Key findings

- Subtype B was the most prevalent HIV-1 subtype in Wuhan, followed by CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE.
- Drug resistance mutations were detected in 36 cases, with the majority affecting non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

## Abstract

The global distribution of HIV-1 subtypes exhibits significant regional variations, with evolving epidemiological patterns over time. China currently experiences concurrent circulation of multiple HIV-1 subtypes, and the transmission landscape is becoming increasingly complex and diversified. We performed prospective molecular surveillance and drug-resistance profiling of HIV-1 in Wuhan City to delineate the local genotypic structure and to guide antiretroviral therapy. A total of 149 whole blood samples from HIV-1-infected individuals preserved in 2022 at a hospital in Wuhan were selected. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, total RNA extracted, and the Gag, Pol, and Env regions were amplified by nested RT-PCR and sequenced. The sequencing and phylogenetic tree results revealed that subtype B constituted the predominant clade (73/149, 49.1%), followed by CRF07_BC (20, 13.4%), CRF01_AE (13, 8.7%), CRF55_01B (2, 1.3%), and subtype C (1, 0.7%). Drug resistance mutations were detected in 36 cases, involving 41 mutation sites across 21 distinct types. Resistance profiles included two protease inhibitor-associated mutation sites (2 types), seven nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-related mutation sites (6 types), and 32 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-associated mutation sites (13 types).