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Molecular Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)-Infected Individuals in a Network-Based Intervention (Transmission Reduction Intervention Project): Phylogenetics Identify HIV-1-Infected Individuals With Social Links

Citation:

Kostaki EG, Nikolopoulos GK, Pavlitina E, Williams L, Magiorkinis G, Schneider J, Skaathun B, Morgan E, Psichogiou M, Daikos GL, et al. Molecular Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1)-Infected Individuals in a Network-Based Intervention (Transmission Reduction Intervention Project): Phylogenetics Identify HIV-1-Infected Individuals With Social Links. J Infect Dis. 2018;218:707-715.

Abstract:

Background: The Transmission Reduction Intervention Project (TRIP) is a network-based intervention that aims at decreasing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) spread. We herein explore associations between transmission links as estimated by phylogenetic analyses, and social network-based ties among persons who inject drugs (PWID) recruited in TRIP. Methods: Phylogenetic trees were inferred from HIV-1 sequences of TRIP participants. Highly supported phylogenetic clusters (transmission clusters) were those fulfilling 3 different phylogenetic confidence criteria. Social network-based ties (injecting or sexual partners, same venue engagement) were determined based on personal interviews, recruitment links, and field observation. Results: TRIP recruited 356 individuals (90.2% PWID) including HIV-negative controls; recently HIV-infected seeds; long-term HIV-infected seeds; and their social network members. Of the 150 HIV-infected participants, 118 (78.7%) were phylogenetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses suggested the existence of 13 transmission clusters with 32 sequences. Seven of these clusters included 14 individuals (14/32 [43.8%]) who also had social ties with at least 1 member of their cluster. This proportion was significantly higher than what was expected by chance. Conclusions: Molecular methods can identify HIV-infected people socially linked with another person in about half of the phylogenetic clusters. This could help public health efforts to locate individuals in networks with high transmission rates.

Notes:

Kostaki, Evangelia-GeorgiaNikolopoulos, Georgios KPavlitina, EiriniWilliams, LeslieMagiorkinis, GkikasSchneider, JohnSkaathun, BrittMorgan, EthanPsichogiou, MinaDaikos, Georgios LSypsa, VanaSmyrnov, PavloKorobchuk, AniaMalliori, MeniHatzakis, AngelosFriedman, Samuel RParaskevis, DimitriosengP30 DA011041/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/T32 AI007384/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/DP1 DA034989/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/Research Support, N.I.H., ExtramuralResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't2018/04/27 06:00J Infect Dis. 2018 Jul 24;218(5):707-715. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiy239.