Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 infection in Shenzhen and Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

HIV-1 exhibits distinct epidemic characteristics across different regions, making it crucial to understand its genetic variation for effective AIDS prevention and control. The frequent population migration between Shenzhen and Dongguan presents significant challenges in this regard. In this study, we analyzed samples from HIV-1 infected patients who had not received antiviral therapy at Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital from January 2019 to January 2021, comprising 165 patients from Shenzhen and 269 from Dongguan. The results indicated that HIV-1 transmission in Shenzhen primarily occurred through homosexual contact, with the predominant genotypes being CRF07_BC, CRF01_AE, and CRF55_01B. The primary transmission route was men who have sex with men (MSM). In contrast, Dongguan exhibited an equal rate of infections from both heterosexual and homosexual contact, with the same three genotypes prevalent in both routes. Notably, the proportion of CRF55_01B was higher among heterosexual contacts. Molecular network analysis revealed a trend of mutual transmission between the two locations. Dongguan demonstrated a high infection rate, indicating a greater risk of epidemic spread. In conclusion, although the main genotypes in both regions are similar, their epidemic characteristics differ. It is essential to closely monitor the rising trend of CRF55_01B in heterosexual infections, particularly by strengthening HIV-1 surveillance in Dongguan and implementing targeted interventions for multiple high-risk behavior groups to curb the rapid spread of HIV-1 in the region.