RESEARCH PAPER
Migrant workers play a key role in HIV-1 strain diversity in Bangladesh
1
Virology Laboratory, Infectious Diseases Division, icddr,b, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
2
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000; Bangladesh
Submission date: 2020-03-27
Final revision date: 2020-05-18
Acceptance date: 2020-05-27
Publication date: 2020-12-12
HIV & AIDS Review 2020;19(4):278-283
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Bangladesh is a low prevalence country for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and genotyping data is limited which is incomplete and mainly subtype C based on gag gene. In the present paper, we characterized HIV-1 strains obtained from individuals attending three HIV testing and counseling (HTC) centers from different geographic regions in Bangladesh comprehensively based on three genes.
Material and methods:
A total of 40 HIV-positive blood specimens with demographic and migration history were available from individuals who attended HTC centers during 2005-2007. DNA was extracted from whole blood and sequenced using primers specific for gag, pol, and env region of HIV genome.
Results:
Sub-type C was the most predominant strain (45%) followed by G-related recombinants (35%). Other genotypes were A1 (5%), B (2.5%), CRF16_A2D (7.5%), and unique recombinant form (5%). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the origins of these strains varied and most of them might have been imported from the Middle East on a regular basis by migrant workers.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to describe comprehensive characterization of Bangladeshi HIV-1 strains. Adapted intervention programs relating to appropriate counseling and provision of information relating to risk of transmission of HIV need to aim at returnee migrant workers.
Bangladesh is a low prevalence country for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and genotyping data is limited which is incomplete and mainly subtype C based on gag gene. In the present paper, we characterized HIV-1 strains obtained from individuals attending three HIV testing and counseling (HTC) centers from different geographic regions in Bangladesh comprehensively based on three genes.
Material and methods:
A total of 40 HIV-positive blood specimens with demographic and migration history were available from individuals who attended HTC centers during 2005-2007. DNA was extracted from whole blood and sequenced using primers specific for gag, pol, and env region of HIV genome.
Results:
Sub-type C was the most predominant strain (45%) followed by G-related recombinants (35%). Other genotypes were A1 (5%), B (2.5%), CRF16_A2D (7.5%), and unique recombinant form (5%). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the origins of these strains varied and most of them might have been imported from the Middle East on a regular basis by migrant workers.
Conclusions:
This is the first study to describe comprehensive characterization of Bangladeshi HIV-1 strains. Adapted intervention programs relating to appropriate counseling and provision of information relating to risk of transmission of HIV need to aim at returnee migrant workers.
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