Tracing the HIV-1 subtype B mobility in Europe: a phylogeographic approach

• Main Authors: Perrin Luc, Ormaasen Vidar, Op de Coul Eline LM, Meyer Laurence, Nielsen Claus, Maljkovic-Berry I, MacRae Eilidh, Loveday Clive, Leitner Thomas, Korn Klaus, Kücherer Claudia, Horban Andrzej, Hoepelman IM, Hamouda Osama, Grossman Zehava, de Mendoza Carmen, Derdelinckx Inge, De Luca Andrea, Costagliola Dominique, Coughlan Suzie, Chaix Marie-Laure, Camacho Ricardo, Boeri Enzo, Balotta Claudia, Åsjö Birgitta, Angarano Guiseppe, Albert Jan, van de Vijver David A, Wensing Annemarie MJ, Hatzakis Angelos, Magiorkinis Gkikas, Pybus Oliver, Paraskevis Dimitrios, Puchhammer-Stöckl Elisabeth, Ruiz Lidia, Salminen Mika O, Schmit Jean-Claude, Schuurman Rob, Soriano Vincent, Stanczak J, Stanojevic Maja, Struck Daniel, Van Laethem Kristel, Violin M, Yerly Sabine, Zazzi Maurizio, Boucher Charles A, Vandamme Anne-Mieke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2009-05-01
• Series: Retrovirology
• Online Access: http://www.retrovirology.com/content/6/1/49

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence and the origin of HIV-1 subtype B, the most prevalent circulating clade among the long-term residents in Europe, have been studied extensively. However the spatial diffusion of the epidemic from the perspective of the virus has not previously been traced.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the current study we inferred the migration history of HIV-1 subtype B by way of a phylogeography of viral sequences sampled from 16 European countries and Israel. Migration events were inferred from viral phylogenies by character reconstruction using parsimony. With regard to the spatial dispersal of the HIV subtype B sequences across viral phylogenies, in most of the countries in Europe the epidemic was introduced by multiple sources and subsequently spread within local networks. Poland provides an exception where most of the infections were the result of a single point introduction. According to the significant migratory pathways, we show that there are considerable differences across Europe. Specifically, Greece, Portugal, Serbia and Spain, provide sources shedding HIV-1; Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg, on the other hand, are migratory targets, while for Denmark, Germany, Italy, Israel, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK we inferred significant bidirectional migration. For Poland no significant migratory pathways were inferred.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Subtype B phylogeographies provide a new insight about the geographical distribution of viral lineages, as well as the significant pathways of virus dispersal across Europe, suggesting that intervention strategies should also address tourists, travellers and migrants.</p>