Near Full-Length Genomic Characterization of a Novel HIV Type 1 CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC Recombinant Form Transmitted Between a Heterosexual Couple in Guangxi, China

In this research, we reported a new second generation recombinant form (GXDY460B) between circulating recombinant form (CRF)01_AE and CRF07_BC in a seroconversion couple who obtained the virus from her husband by heterosexual behavior. The analysis result of the near full-length genomic characterization showed that the genome comprises at least 12 interlaced segments, including six CRF07_BC and six CRF01_AE segments, with CRF07_BC as the main framework. Cocirculation of multiple virus subtypes and multiple infection routes have existed for a long time in Guangxi, but the recombinant strain was rarely reported among heterosexual transmission population because of its lower crowd confounding degree than men who have sex with men and injecting drug user population. It is the first time that the unique recombinant form (URF) between CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC was identified among heterosexual transmission in Guangxi. The emergence of the novel recombinant helps to understand the pattern of the URF virus.