Molecular detection of HIV-1 subtype B, CRF01_AE, CRF33_01B, and newly emerging recombinant lineages in Malaysia.

A molecular genotyping assay for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating in Southeast Asia is difficult to design because of the high level of genetic diversity. We developed a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect subtype B, CRF01_AE, CRF33_01B, and three newly described circulating recombinant forms, (CRFs) (CRF53_01B, CRF54_01B, and CRF58_01B). A total of 785 reference genomes were used for subtype-specific primers and TaqMan probes design targeting the gag, pol, and env genes. The performance of this assay was compared and evaluated with direct sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. A total of 180 HIV-infected subjects from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were screened and 171 samples were successfully genotyped, in agreement with the phylogenetic data. The HIV-1 genotype distribution was as follows: subtype B (16.7%); CRF01_AE (52.8%); CRF33_01B (24.4%); CRF53_01B (1.1%); CRF54_01B (0.6%); and CRF01_AE/B unique recombinant forms (4.4%). The overall accuracy of the genotyping assay was over 95.0%, in which the sensitivities for subtype B, CRF01_AE, and CRF33_01B detection were 100%, 100%, and 97.7%, respectively. The specificity of genotyping was 100%, inter-subtype specificities were > 95% and the limit of detection of 10(3) copies/mL for plasma. The newly developed real-time PCR assay offers a rapid and cost-effective alternative for large-scale molecular epidemiological surveillance for HIV-1.

Chook JB ，Ong LY ，Takebe Y ，Chan KG ，Choo M ，Kamarulzaman A ，Tee KK ... -  《-》

A newly emerging HIV-1 recombinant lineage (CRF58_01B) disseminating among people who inject drugs in Malaysia.

Chow WZ ，Takebe Y ，Syafina NE ，Prakasa MS ，Chan KG ，Al-Darraji HA ，Koh C ，Kamarulzaman A ，Tee KK ... -  《-》

Complex patterns of the HIV-1 epidemic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: evidence for expansion of circulating recombinant form CRF33_01B and detection of multiple other recombinants.

Wang B ，Lau KA ，Ong LY ，Shah M ，Steain MC ，Foley B ，Dwyer DE ，Chew CB ，Kamarulzaman A ，Ng KP ，Saksena NK ... -  《VIROLOGY》

Molecular diversity of HIV-1 among people who inject drugs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: massive expansion of circulating recombinant form (CRF) 33_01B and emergence of multiple unique recombinant clusters.

Chow WZ ，Ong LY ，Razak SH ，Lee YM ，Ng KT ，Yong YK ，Azmel A ，Takebe Y ，Al-Darraji HA ，Kamarulzaman A ，Tee KK ... -  《PLoS One》

Evidence for possible biological advantages of the newly emerging HIV-1 circulating recombinant form from Malaysia - CRF33_01B in comparison to its progenitors - CRF01_AE and subtype B.

Lau KA ，Wang B ，Miranda-Saksena M ，Boadle R ，Kamarulzaman A ，Ng KP ，Saksena NK ... -  《-》