A Novel Recombinant Form of HIV-1 CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC Identified by Near Full-Length Genome in Shaanxi, China

Recently multiple kinds of unique recombinant forms of HIV-1 CRF01_AE/CRF07_BC were identified in China. In this study, we report another near full-length genome of a novel recombinant form (SN121) between CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC from an HIV-1-infected male through heterosexual behavior in Shaanxi province, China. The analysis of SN121 showed that the genome composed of seven interlaced segments, including three CRF07_BC and four CRF01_AE segments with CRF01_AE as the backbone. Six breakpoints were observed in the pol and env gene regions, which are different from the previously identified CRF01_AE/07_BC recombinant forms in China. This novel emerging recombinant form suggested the complicated genetic diversity and the active local transmission of HIV-1 in Shaanxi province. Further monitoring should be performed to elucidate the possible molecular evolution of this novel recombinant form.