Short Communication: HIV-1 Transmission Networks Across South Korea

• DOI: 10.1089/aid.2016.0212
• Publication Date: 2017-02-23T15:09:27Z
• Authors: Mi Young Ahn; Joel O. Wertheim; Woo Joo Kim; Shin-Woo Kim; Jin Soo Lee; Hea Won Ann; Yongduk Jeon; Jin Young Ahn; Je Eun Song; Dong Hyun Oh; Yong Chan Kim; Eun Jin Kim; In Young Jung; Moo Hyun Kim; Wooyoung Jeong; Su Jin Jeong; Nam Su Ku; June Myung Kim; Davey M. Smith; Jun Yong Choi
• Keywords: Molecular Epidemiology

Molecular epidemiology can help clarify the properties and dynamics of HIV-1 transmission networks in both global regional scales. We studied 143 HIV-1-infected individuals recruited from four medical centers three cities South Korea between April 2013 May 2014. env V3 sequence data were generated (337-793 bp) analyzed using a pairwise distance-based clustering approach to infer putative networks. Participants whose viruses ≤2.0% divergent according Tamura-Nei 93 genetic distance defined as clustering. collected demographic, risk, clinical these relation Among participants, we identified nine clusters different sizes (range 2-4 participants). The reported risk factor participants concordant only one network involving two that is, homosexual sex their factor. other eight did not report factors, although they phylogenetically linked. About half refused Overall, molecular provides more information understand local risks associated with