Characterization of Four Nearly Full-Length Genomic Sequences of HIV-1 Subtype G Identified in Guangdong Province, China.

Four cases infected by HIV-1 subtype G strain were identified in Guangdong, China. The nearly full-length genome was amplified and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. The four sequences clustered together with subtype G references in the tree (bootstrap value ≥98%). To determine whether HIV-1 subtype G has been spreading in China, all subtype G sequences identified in China were downloaded from HIV Database for further phylogenetic analysis. In the phylogenetic tree of gene (nucleotides 2283-3245 by using HXB2 as a calibrator), four clusters with bootstrap value >70% comprised nine sequences from China were identified, suggesting that subtype G might have been spreading in local areas in China. The detailed sequence data in this study will provide more information on HIV epidemic in China. The result also highlighted that more surveillance on subtype G prevalence in China is necessary.