Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji
Abstract Very little is known about the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji, nor the wider South Pacific region more generally, yet new reported HIV-1 infections are on the rise. As of 2023, there are an estimated 2000 cases of HIV-1 in Fiji with heterosexual contact the primary route of transmission. In this st...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-03-01
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| Series: | npj Viruses |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-024-00019-3 |
| _version_ | 1827321493523005440 |
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| author | Atlesh Sudhakar Donald Wilson Rachel Devi Dashika Anshu Balak Jenni Singh Kesaia Tuidraki Lavenia Gaunavinaka Waisale Turuva Taina Naivalu Blair Lawley John H. Tay Francesca Di Giallonardo Sebastian Duchene Jemma L. Geoghegan |
| author_facet | Atlesh Sudhakar Donald Wilson Rachel Devi Dashika Anshu Balak Jenni Singh Kesaia Tuidraki Lavenia Gaunavinaka Waisale Turuva Taina Naivalu Blair Lawley John H. Tay Francesca Di Giallonardo Sebastian Duchene Jemma L. Geoghegan |
| author_sort | Atlesh Sudhakar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Very little is known about the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji, nor the wider South Pacific region more generally, yet new reported HIV-1 infections are on the rise. As of 2023, there are an estimated 2000 cases of HIV-1 in Fiji with heterosexual contact the primary route of transmission. In this study, we used a molecular epidemiological approach to better understand the genetic diversity of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji and reveal patterns of viral transmission. Between 2020 and 2021, venous blood samples were collected from people who had previously been diagnosed with HIV-1. We generated molecular data from 53 infections, representing ~2–3% of reported cases, to identify HIV-1 subtypes and determine the outbreak’s trajectory. Among the 53 HIV-1 cases, we used Bayesian inference to estimate six separate introductions with at least two of these introductions leading to sustained transmission forming large, nation-wide clusters of HIV-1 subtype C. We found that since the introduction of public health interventions circa 2014, the effective reproductive number, R e , decreased among the major clusters identified from an average of 2.4 to just below 1. Molecular epidemiological analysis suggested that public health efforts aimed at decreasing the spread of the disease were at least somewhat effective. Nevertheless, with a recent rise in reported HIV-1 cases, this study demonstrates the utility of molecular data to inform a more targeted public health approach for controlling its spread. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:08:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-70cf99cf55784635bf5f9b2fa320f614 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2948-1767 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T01:08:11Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Viruses |
| spelling | doaj.art-70cf99cf55784635bf5f9b2fa320f6142024-03-10T12:07:40ZengNature Portfolionpj Viruses2948-17672024-03-01211610.1038/s44298-024-00019-3Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in FijiAtlesh Sudhakar0Donald Wilson1Rachel Devi2Dashika Anshu Balak3Jenni Singh4Kesaia Tuidraki5Lavenia Gaunavinaka6Waisale Turuva7Taina Naivalu8Blair Lawley9John H. Tay10Francesca Di Giallonardo11Sebastian Duchene12Jemma L. Geoghegan13Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research, Fiji National UniversityFiji Institute of Pacific Health Research, Fiji National UniversityMinistry of HealthSexual and Reproductive Health Clinic (Central Eastern Division)Reproductive Health ClinicMedical Services Pacific (MSP)Reproductive Health Clinic, Western HubReproductive Health Clinic, Northern HubFiji Institute of Pacific Health Research, Fiji National UniversityDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, University of OtagoDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of MelbourneThe Kirby Institute, University of New South WalesDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of MelbourneDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, University of OtagoAbstract Very little is known about the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji, nor the wider South Pacific region more generally, yet new reported HIV-1 infections are on the rise. As of 2023, there are an estimated 2000 cases of HIV-1 in Fiji with heterosexual contact the primary route of transmission. In this study, we used a molecular epidemiological approach to better understand the genetic diversity of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji and reveal patterns of viral transmission. Between 2020 and 2021, venous blood samples were collected from people who had previously been diagnosed with HIV-1. We generated molecular data from 53 infections, representing ~2–3% of reported cases, to identify HIV-1 subtypes and determine the outbreak’s trajectory. Among the 53 HIV-1 cases, we used Bayesian inference to estimate six separate introductions with at least two of these introductions leading to sustained transmission forming large, nation-wide clusters of HIV-1 subtype C. We found that since the introduction of public health interventions circa 2014, the effective reproductive number, R e , decreased among the major clusters identified from an average of 2.4 to just below 1. Molecular epidemiological analysis suggested that public health efforts aimed at decreasing the spread of the disease were at least somewhat effective. Nevertheless, with a recent rise in reported HIV-1 cases, this study demonstrates the utility of molecular data to inform a more targeted public health approach for controlling its spread.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-024-00019-3 |
| spellingShingle | Atlesh Sudhakar Donald Wilson Rachel Devi Dashika Anshu Balak Jenni Singh Kesaia Tuidraki Lavenia Gaunavinaka Waisale Turuva Taina Naivalu Blair Lawley John H. Tay Francesca Di Giallonardo Sebastian Duchene Jemma L. Geoghegan Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji npj Viruses |
| title | Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji |
| title_full | Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji |
| title_fullStr | Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji |
| title_full_unstemmed | Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji |
| title_short | Molecular epidemiology of the HIV-1 epidemic in Fiji |
| title_sort | molecular epidemiology of the hiv 1 epidemic in fiji |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44298-024-00019-3 |
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