Molecular transmission network and spatial analysis of HIV/AIDS in Hainan, China: a population-based study
Frontiers in Microbiology·
- DOI
- 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1907224
- PMID
- —
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- —
- Study type
- Journal article
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The findings identify the Haikou-Sanya transmission link as a key intervention point and support enhanced regional surveillance and coordinated cross-city prevention strategies in Hainan Province.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study examines cross-regional HIV transmission dynamics in Hainan Province by integrating molecular transmission network analysis with spatial analysis to characterize intracity and intercity transmission patterns.
Study design
A population-based retrospective molecular epidemiology study analyzing HIV-1 pol gene sequences (n=2,135) reported in Hainan Province between 2021 and 2025, using a genetic distance threshold of 1.5% to construct a transmission network combined with spatial autocorrelation analysis.
Population and setting
HIV/AIDS patients reported in Hainan Province, China, between 2021 and 2025, whose pol gene sequences were available for analysis, with sampling spanning multiple cities across the province.
Main findings
Of 2,135 sequences, 65.39% were included in the molecular network. Clustering was independently associated with age ≥50 years, absence of drug resistance, and infection with CRF07_BC or CRF65_cpx. Global spatial autocorrelation was significant (Moran's I = 0.256, P < 0.05). Wuzhishan was identified as a high-low cluster overall, and Danzhou specifically for CRF07_BC. Haikou and Sanya showed intensive intracity transmission, with the strongest intercity linkage between them across CRF07_BC, CRF01_AE, and CRF65_cpx. Among 1,396 network nodes, 79.87% displayed intercity linkage, with female sex less likely and CRF65_cpx infection more likely to be intercity-linked.
Public-health relevance
The findings identify the Haikou-Sanya transmission link as a key intervention point and support enhanced regional surveillance and coordinated cross-city prevention strategies in Hainan Province.
Important limitations
The summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata; no explicit limitations are reported in the abstract, and the original paper is required for decision-grade interpretation.
GIDS interpretation
Contextually, the paper is indexed under HIV/AIDS surveillance and transmission dynamics in China, making it relevant for cataloging cross-regional molecular transmission evidence; however, no connection to any live surveillance signal is established here.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 8 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.