Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Laos is Affected by HIV CRF01_AE and the Newly Identified CRF97_01B

  • RESEARCH ARTICLE
  • Published:
Virologica Sinica

This article has been updated

Abstract

Laos is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia and borders Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia, the three countries in this region that have been hardest hit by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Laos has been regarded as a low-HIV-prevalence country for decades. To understand the status of HIV in Laos in recent years, a retrospective study was performed among 2851 patients visiting a hospital in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, from November 2011 to May 2012. Whole blood samples were obtained from the patients, and DNA was extracted. HIV status was determined by HIV gag fragment-specific PCR assay. Sixty-nine samples were detected as HIV proviral DNA positive with a positive rate of 2.4% (69/2851). Sixty-one near full-length genomic sequences were obtained from the positive samples. The results of phylogenetic analysis showed that the vast majority (91.8%) of the HIV strains belonged to CRF01_AE, and the other five (8.2%) strains were identified as a new HIV circulating recombinant form CRF97_01B, which had a CRF01_AE backbone with an insertion of subtype B in the gag-pol region. Phylogeographic analysis revealed that HIV CRF01_AE circulating in Laos were multiply introduced from Thailand. These results indicated that Laos might be suffering a considerably more serious impact of HIV than previously believed. To keep this country from undergoing the same increase in HIV prevalence observed in its neighbors, immediate intervention measures and sufficient epidemiological research are urgently needed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

Change history

  • 23 November 2020

    Fig. 1 has been replaced.

References

  • Assih M, Feteke L, Bisseye C, Ouermi D, Djigma F, Karou SD, Simpore J (2016) Molecular diagnosis of the human immunodeficiency, Hepatitis B and C viruses among blood donors in Lome (Togo) by multiplex real time PCR. Pan Afr Med J 25:242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barennes H, Frichittavong A, Gripenberg M, Koffi P (2015) Evidence of high out of pocket spending for HIV care leading to catastrophic expenditure for affected patients in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. PLoS ONE 10:e0136664

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Pang W, Zhou YH, Zheng YT (2014) Progress of molecular epidemiology and cross-border transmission of HIV-l in Lancang-Mekong Subregion. Chin J Front Health Quar 37(63–67):72 (in Chinese)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Ye M, Duo L, Pang W, Smith D, Zhang C, Zheng YT (2017a) First description of two new HIV-1 recombinant forms CRF82_cpx and CRF83_cpx among drug users in Northern Myanmar. Virulence 8:497–503

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Ye M, Pang W, Smith DM, Zhang C, Zheng YT (2017b) First appearance of HIV-1 CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC outside China. AIDS Res Hum Retrovir 33:74–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X, Zhou YH, Ye M, Wang Y, Duo L, Pang W, Zhang C, Zheng YT (2018) Burmese injecting drug users in Yunnan play a pivotal role in the cross-border transmission of HIV-1 in the China-Myanmar border region. Virulence 9:1195–1204

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Deng X, Liu H, Shao Y, Rayner S, Yang R (2008) The epidemic origin and molecular properties of B’: a founder strain of the HIV-1 transmission in Asia. AIDS 22:1851–1858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hansana V, Sanchaisuriya P, Durham J, Sychareun V, Chaleunvong K, Boonyaleepun S, Schelp FP (2013) Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV (PLHIV): a cross-sectional survey to measure in Lao PDR. BMC Public Health 13:617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (2017) People living with HIV, HIV prevalence. http://aidsinfo.unaids.org/. Accessed 16 Jan 2019

  • Li Y, Uenishi R, Hase S, Liao H, Li XJ, Tsuchiura T, Tee KK, Pybus OG, Takebe Y (2010) Explosive HIV-1 subtype B’ epidemics in Asia driven by geographic and risk group founder events. Virology 402:223–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, He X, Wang Z, Xing H, Li F, Yang Y, Wang Q, Takebe Y, Shao Y (2012) Tracing the origin and history of HIV-1 subtype B’ epidemic by near full-length genome analyses. AIDS 26:877–884

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liao H, Tee KK, Hase S, Uenishi R, Li XJ, Kusagawa S, Thang PH, Hien NT, Pybus OG, Takebe Y (2009) Phylodynamic analysis of the dissemination of HIV-1 CRF01_AE in Vietnam. Virology 391:51–56

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Zhang C (2011) Phylogeographic analyses reveal a crucial role of Xinjiang in HIV-1 CRF07_BC and HCV 3a transmissions in Asia. PLoS ONE 6:e23347

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory HIV sequence database (2019) HIV sequence database. https://www.hiv.lanl.gov/components/sequence/HIV/search/search.html. Accessed 31 Jan 2019

  • Loue S, Bounlu K, Pholsena V, Mastro TD (1998) HIV seroprevalence and HIV-1 subtype E among pregnant women in Vientiane, Laos. AIDS 12:1403

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lu L, Jia M, Ma Y, Yang L, Chen Z, Ho DD, Jiang Y, Zhang L (2008) The changing face of HIV in China. Nature 455:609–611

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Paboriboune P, Phoumindr N, Borel E, Sourinphoumy K, Phaxayaseng S, Luangkhot E, Sengphilom B, Vansilalom Y, Odermatt P, Delaporte E, Etard JF, Rabodonirina M (2014) Intestinal parasitic infections in HIV-infected patients, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. PLoS ONE 9:e91452

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pang W, Zhang C, Duo L, Zhou YH, Yao ZH, Liu FL, Li H, Tu YQ, Zheng YT (2012) Extensive and complex HIV-1 recombination between B’, C and CRF01_AE among IDUs in south-east Asia. AIDS 26:1121–1129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phanuphak N, Lo YR, Shao Y, Solomon SS, O’Connell RJ, Tovanabutra S, Chang D, Kim JH, Excler JL (2015) HIV epidemic in Asia: implications for HIV vaccine and other prevention trials. AIDS Res Hum Retrovir 31:1060–1076

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheridan S, Phimphachanh C, Chanlivong N, Manivong S, Khamsyvolsvong S, Lattanavong P, Sisouk T, Toledo C, Scherzer M, Toole M, van Griensven F (2009) HIV prevalence and risk behaviour among men who have sex with men in Vientiane Capital, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, 2007. AIDS 23:409–414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sichanh C, Quet F, Chanthavilay P, Diendere J, Latthaphasavang V, Longuet C, Buisson Y (2014) Knowledge, awareness and attitudes about cervical cancer among women attending or not an HIV treatment center in Lao PDR. BMC Cancer 14:161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slesak G, Inthalad S, Kim JH, Manhpadit S, Somsavad S, Sisouphanh B, Bouttavong S, Phengsavanh A, Barennes H (2012) High HIV vulnerability of ethnic minorities after a trans-Asian highway construction in remote northern Laos. Int J STD AIDS 23:570–575

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database (2019) HIV drug resistance database. https://hivdb.stanford.edu/hivdb/by-sequences/. Accessed 16 Jan 2019

  • Sychareun V, Thomsen S, Chaleunvong K, Faxelid E (2013) Risk perceptions of STIs/HIV and sexual risk behaviours among sexually experienced adolescents in the northern part of Lao PDR. BMC Public Health 13:1126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tee KK, Pybus OG, Li XJ, Han X, Shang H, Kamarulzaman A, Takebe Y (2008) Temporal and spatial dynamics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 circulating recombinant forms 08_BC and 07_BC in Asia. J Virol 82:9206–9215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thammavong C, Paboriboune P, Bouchard B, Harimanana A, Babin FX, Phimmasone P, Berland JL, Buisson Y (2011) Bleach treatment of sputum samples aids pulmonary tuberculosis screening among HIV-infected patients in Laos. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 15:1353–1358

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thanavanh B, Harun-Or-Rashid M, Kasuya H, Sakamoto J (2013) Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among male high school students in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. J Int AIDS Soc 16:17387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toole MJ, Coghlan B, Xeuatvongsa A, Holmes WR, Pheualavong S, Chanlivong N (2006) Understanding male sexual behaviour in planning HIV prevention programmes: lessons from Laos, a low prevalence country. Sex Transm Infect 82:135–138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tovanabutra S, Watanaveeradej V, Viputtikul K, De Souza M, Razak MH, Suriyanon V, Jittiwutikarn J, Sriplienchan S, Nitayaphan S, Benenson MW, Sirisopana N, Renzullo PO, Brown AE, Robb ML, Beyrer C, Celentano DD, McNeil JG, Birx DL, Carr JK, McCutchan FE (2003) A new circulating recombinant form, CRF15_01B, reinforces the linkage between IDU and heterosexual epidemics in Thailand. AIDS Res Hum Retrovir 19:561–567

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tovanabutra S, Kijak GH, Beyrer C, Gammon-Richardson C, Sakkhachornphop S, Vongchak T, Jittiwutikarn J, Razak MH, Sanders-Buell E, Robb ML, Suriyanon V, Birx DL, Michael NL, Celentano DD, McCutchan FE (2007) Identification of CRF34_01B, a second circulating recombinant form unrelated to and more complex than CRF15_01B, among injecting drug users in northern Thailand. AIDS Res Hum Retrovir 23:829–833

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tran BX, Houston S (2012) Mobile phone-based antiretroviral adherence support in Vietnam: feasibility, patient’s preference, and willingness-to-pay. AIDS Behav 16:1988–1992

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vorasane S, Jimba M, Kikuchi K, Yasuoka J, Nanishi K, Durham J, Sychareun V (2017) An investigation of stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS by doctors and nurses in Vientiane, Lao PDR. BMC Health Serv Res 17:125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou YH, Liang YB, Pang W, Qin WH, Yao ZH, Chen X, Zhang C, Zheng YT (2014) Diverse forms of HIV-1 among Burmese long-distance truck drivers imply their contribution to HIV-1 cross-border transmission. BMC Infect Dis 14:463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zuo L, Liu K, Liu H, Hu Y, Zhang Z, Qin J, Xu Q, Peng K, Jin X, Wang JH, Zhang C (2019) Trend of HIV-1 drug resistance in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis of data accumulated over 17 years (2001–2017). EClinicalMedicine 18:100238

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Professor Qing-Peng Kong (Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences) for the assistance in collecting samples. We also thank all the participants who participated in this research. This work was supported in part by Grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U1302224, 81601802, 81271892, 81902106). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, National Kunming High Level Biosafety Research Center for Non-human Primate, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650223, China

    Xin Chen, Mei Ye & Yong-Tang Zheng

  2. Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, 341000, China

    Xin Chen

  3. KIZ-SU Joint Laboratory of Animal Models and Drug Development, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China

    Yu Wang & Yong-Tang Zheng

  4. Pathogen Discovery and Evolution Unit, Pathogen Discovery and Big Data Center, Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China

    Chiyu Zhang

Authors
  1. Xin Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mei Ye
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yu Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Chiyu Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yong-Tang Zheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

YTZ and CZ conceived and designed the research. XC, MY and YW performed the HIV provirus amplification experiments. YTZ, CZ and XC analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. All authors revised and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Chiyu Zhang or Yong-Tang Zheng.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no competing interests.

Animal and Human Rights Statement

Additional informed consent was obtained from all patients for which identifying information is included in this article.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (PDF 157 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chen, X., Ye, M., Wang, Y. et al. Laos is Affected by HIV CRF01_AE and the Newly Identified CRF97_01B. Virol. Sin. 35, 538–547 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12250-020-00215-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12250-020-00215-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation