Molecular epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and hepatitis C virus in former blood donors in central China

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-positive former blood donors (FBDs) in Hubei province, central China, and the subtypes of these two viruses are identified. HIV-1-positive specimens were collected from FBDs, transfusion recipients, and their sexual partners in Hubei province, central China. The prevalence of HCV in HIV-1-positive FBDs was 78.6%. The dominant circulating HIV-1 subtype of FBDs was subtype B' (Thai-B); one belonged to U.S.-European subtype B. HCV genotypes 2a (78.6%) and 1b (21.4%) were detected. No recombinant form of HIV-1 was identified. Non-B' subtypes occurring among FBDs indicate the complexity of the HIV-1 prevalence in central China, where HIV is beginning to spread into the general population.