Genetic subtypes of HIV type 1 viruses circulating in the Czech Republic

We analyzed the genetic diversity of HIV-1 strains circulating in the Czech Republic. Phylogenetic analysis of the env and gag gene sequence fragments from 39 isolates revealed that the majority of these strains (32 of 39, 82 %) were of subtype B; other genetic subtypes identified were A, C, F, and r ecombinant circulating form CRF01_AE. The isolates that did not cluster wit h subtype B originated almost exclusively from a heterosexual route of tran smission. The molecular epidemiological data are suggestive of multiple ent ry of HIV-1 infection into the Czech Republic and show that the genetic pat tern of the HIV-1 strains circulating in this country corresponds to that f ound in other European countries.