Longitudinal analysis of HIV-1 BF1 recombinant strains in vertically infected children from Argentina reveals a decrease in CRF12_BF pol gene mosaic patterns and high diversity of BF unique recombinant forms

The HIV-1 epidemic associated to BF1 recombinants in South America is both complex and intriguing, with an underestimated diversity of recombinant structures. Our aim was to explore the characteristics and temporal dynamics of the HIV-1 BF1 epidemic in Argentina, through the study of 172 HIV-1 pol BF1 recombinant sequences obtained from HIV-1 vertically infected patients born from 1986 to 2008. Recombination patterns were characterized by bootscanning, subtype signature analysis, and phylogenetic approaches. Proportion of sequences sharing common ancestry and recombination breakpoints with the Circulating Recombinant Form (CRF) CRF12_BF was compared against sequences with a non-CRF12_BF pattern in three study periods, and by fitting the data to a logistic model. Twenty-eight HIV-1 pol BF1 mosaic structures were identified, including four of the seven South-American CRF_BF-like patterns. However, common ancestry of these sequences with reference CRF strains only confirmed the presence of CRF12_BF (51.1%) and CRF17_BF (1.2%) among the Argentine BF pol sequences. Most non-CRF_BF-like recombinant patterns shared at least one common recombination breakpoint with CRF12_BF. The number of transmissions caused by CRF12_BF viruses decreased in a linear way over time, from 69% in the period 1986–1993 to 46% in 2001–2008. In conclusion, the diversity of HIV-1 pol BF1 recombinant structures in Argentina is much more complex than previously described, with at least two CRFs_BF and 26 BF1 unique recombinant forms. For the first time, we provide evidence of a decrease in the proportion of CRF12_BF viruses transmitted from mother-to-child since the start of the epidemic to the present time in Argentina.Fil: Aulicino, Paula. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Bello, Gonzalo. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Guimaraes, Monick L.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Ruchansky, Dora. Departamento de Laboratorios de Salud Pública; UruguayFil: Rocco, Carlos Alberto. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Mangano, Andrea María Mercedes. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Morgado, Mariza G.. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Sen, Luisa. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Seroincidence and phylogeny of human immunodeficiency virus infections in a cohort of commercial sex workers in Montevideo, Uruguay

Fil: Viñoles, Jose. HIV/AIDS National Control Program, and Department of Laboratories of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Montevideo; Uruguay.Fil: Serra, Margarita. HIV/AIDS National Control Program, and Department of Laboratories of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Montevideo; Uruguay.Fil: Russi, J. Ministerio de Salud Pública. Departamento de Laboratorios; Uruguay.Fil: Ruchansky, Dora. Servicio de Virología Molecular, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.Fil: Sosa-Estani, Sergio. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación en Endemo-Epidemias; Argentina.Fil: Montano, Silvia M. US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment-Lima; Peru.Fil: Carrion, Gladys. US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment (NMRCD). Unit 3800, APO-AA 34031-3800, Lima; Peru.Fil: Eyzaguirre, Lindsay. Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore; Estados Unidos.Fil: Carr, Jean K. US Military HIV Research Program and Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Rockville, MD; Estados Unidos.Fil: Olson, James G. US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment-Lima; Peru.Fil: Bautista, Christian T. US Military HIV Research Program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Division of Retrovirology, the Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement Military Medicine, Inc, Rockville, MD; Estados Unidos.Fil: Sanchez, Jose L. US Military HIV Research Program and Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Rockville, MD; Estados Unidos.Fil: Weissenbacher, Mercedes. Centro Nacional de Referencia de SIDA, Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina.A cohort study involving 60 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative male transvestite commercial sex workers (CSWs) was conducted in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1999-2001. Serum samples were tested for HIV by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening with immunoblot confirmation. Six participants seroconverted for an incidence-density rate of 6.03 (95% confidence interval = 2.21-13.12) per 100 person-years. Inconsistent condom use during client sex (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 6.7), during oral sex (AHR = 5.6), and at the last sexual encounter (AHR = 7.8), and use of marihuana (AHR = 5.4) were marginally associated with HIV seroconversion. Five samples were genotyped in the protease and reverse transcriptase regions; three were subtypes B and two were BF recombinants. Full genome analysis of four samples confirmed all three subtype B samples and one of the two BF recombinants. Male transvestite CSWs sustained a high rate of HIV infection. Larger prospective studies are required to better define subtypes and associated sexual and drug-related risk factors

Phylodynamics of HIV-1 Circulating Recombinant Forms 12_BF and 38_BF in Argentina and Uruguay

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although HIV-1 CRF12_BF and CRF38_BF are two epidemiologically important recombinant lineages circulating in Argentina and Uruguay, little is known about their population dynamics.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 120 "CRF12_BF-like" and 20 "CRF38_BF-like" <it>pol </it>recombinant sequences collected in Argentina and Uruguay from 1997 to 2009 were subjected to phylogenetic and Bayesian coalescent-based analyses to estimate evolutionary and demographic parameters.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phylogenetic analyses revealed that CRF12_BF viruses from Argentina and Uruguay constitute a single epidemic with multiple genetic exchanges among countries; whereas circulation of the CRF38_BF seems to be confined to Uruguay. The mean estimated substitution rate of CRF12_BF at <it>pol </it>gene (2.5 × 10-3 substitutions/site/year) was similar to that previously described for subtype B. According to our estimates, CRF12_BF and CRF38_BF originated at 1983 (1978-1988) and 1986 (1981-1990), respectively. After their emergence, the CRF12_BF and CRF38_BF epidemics seem to have experienced a period of rapid expansion with initial growth rates of around 1.2 year^-1and 0.9 year^-1, respectively. Later, the rate of spread of these CRFs_BF seems to have slowed down since the mid-1990s.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results suggest that CRF12_BF and CRF38_BF viruses were generated during the 1980s, shortly after the estimated introduction of subtype F1 in South America (~1975-1980). After an initial phase of fast exponential expansion, the rate of spread of both CRFs_BF epidemics seems to have slowed down, thereby following a demographic pattern that resembles those previously reported for the HIV-1 epidemics in Brazil, USA, and Western Europe.</p

Serologic evidence of human metapneumovirus circulation in Uruguay

First identified in 2001, the human metapneumovirus (hMPV), is a respiratory tract pathogen that affects young children, elderly, and immunocompromised patients. The present work represents the first serologic study carried out in Uruguay. It was performed with the purpose of obtaining serological evidence of hMPV circulation in Uruguay and to contribute to the few serologic reports described until now. Sixty nine serum samples collected between 1998 and 2001 by vein puncture from patients without respiratory symptoms or underlying pathology aged 6 days to 60 years were examined using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The global seropositivity rate of the samples was 80% (55/69). Rates of 60% (15/25) and 91% (40/44) were observed for the pediatric and adult cohorts, respectively. Results obtained from a longitudinal analysis of 6 children aged 6 days to 18 months are discussed. These results are a clear evidence of hMPV circulation in Uruguay, at least since 1998, and reinforce the previous data on worldwide circulation of this virus

Seroincidence and phylogeny of human immunodeficiency virus infections in a cohort of commercial sex workers in Montevideo, Uruguay

Fil: Viñoles, Jose. HIV/AIDS National Control Program, and Department of Laboratories of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Montevideo; Uruguay.Fil: Serra, Margarita. HIV/AIDS National Control Program, and Department of Laboratories of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Montevideo; Uruguay.Fil: Russi, J. Ministerio de Salud Pública. Departamento de Laboratorios; Uruguay.Fil: Ruchansky, Dora. Servicio de Virología Molecular, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.Fil: Sosa-Estani, Sergio. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación en Endemo-Epidemias; Argentina.Fil: Montano, Silvia M. US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment-Lima; Peru.Fil: Carrion, Gladys. US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment (NMRCD). Unit 3800, APO-AA 34031-3800, Lima; Peru.Fil: Eyzaguirre, Lindsay. Department of Epidemiology, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 725 West Lombard Street, Baltimore; Estados Unidos.Fil: Carr, Jean K. US Military HIV Research Program and Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Rockville, MD; Estados Unidos.Fil: Olson, James G. US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment-Lima; Peru.Fil: Bautista, Christian T. US Military HIV Research Program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Division of Retrovirology, the Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement Military Medicine, Inc, Rockville, MD; Estados Unidos.Fil: Sanchez, Jose L. US Military HIV Research Program and Henry M. Jackson Foundation, Rockville, MD; Estados Unidos.Fil: Weissenbacher, Mercedes. Centro Nacional de Referencia de SIDA, Universidad de Buenos Aires; Argentina.A cohort study involving 60 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative male transvestite commercial sex workers (CSWs) was conducted in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1999-2001. Serum samples were tested for HIV by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening with immunoblot confirmation. Six participants seroconverted for an incidence-density rate of 6.03 (95% confidence interval = 2.21-13.12) per 100 person-years. Inconsistent condom use during client sex (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 6.7), during oral sex (AHR = 5.6), and at the last sexual encounter (AHR = 7.8), and use of marihuana (AHR = 5.4) were marginally associated with HIV seroconversion. Five samples were genotyped in the protease and reverse transcriptase regions; three were subtypes B and two were BF recombinants. Full genome analysis of four samples confirmed all three subtype B samples and one of the two BF recombinants. Male transvestite CSWs sustained a high rate of HIV infection. Larger prospective studies are required to better define subtypes and associated sexual and drug-related risk factors

HIV Drug Resistance in Adults Initiating or Reinitiating Antiretroviral Therapy in Uruguay—Results of a Nationally Representative Survey, 2018–2019

The first nationally representative cross-sectional HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) survey was conducted in Uruguay in 2018–2019 among adults diagnosed with HIV and initiating or reinitiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). Protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase genes of HIV-1 were sequenced. A total of 206 participants were enrolled in the survey; 63.2% were men, 85.7% were >25 years of age, and 35.6% reported previous exposure to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. The prevalence of HIVDR to efavirenz or nevirapine was significantly higher (OR: 1.82, p 10%) of HIVDR to efavirenz highlights the need to accelerate the transition to the WHO-recommended dolutegravir-based ART. Access to dolutegravir-based ART should be prioritised for people reporting previous ARV drug exposure