Published in PLOS One on 2026-05-08, this study is presented as an attributed evidence briefing. The excerpts below are the original researchers’ words, reproduced under their Creative Commons Attribution licence. Health Signal has selected the abstract and, where needed, opening background paragraphs; the complete methods, results, limitations and references remain in the linked paper.
Original authors: Lily Soto, Yoneira F. Sulbaran, Rossana C. Jaspe, Francisco Ureña, Yoel Garcia, Carmen Luisa Loureiro, Héctor R. Rangel, Flor H. Pujol
Source: PLOS One • DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0348313
Read the complete primary study ↗ · Creative Commons Attribution licence
From the researchers
Abstract
Although a decrease in the incidence of HIV-1 infection has been observed in the Caribbean, the prevalence of this viral infection is still around 1% in Dominican Republic. It has been shown that the subtype B circulating in many of the Caribbean islands is indeed a subtype B which was introduced before the expansion of the B Pandemic lineage (BPandemic), which has been called the Caribbean B lineage (BCar). The aim of this descriptive study was to provide a snapshot of the present circulation of HIV-1 subtypes and lineages in this island. Different regions of the HIV-1 genome were amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced for phylogenetic analysis of the viral isolates circulating in La Vega and Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, in 2024. Of the 26 HIV-1 isolates, all but one belonged to the HIV-1 subtype B. Several genomic regions were evaluated for their suitability for the lineage assignment. In addition to the PR/RT region, which was previously shown to discriminate between the two lineages, the INT region also allowed the discrimination, but VIF with less performance. In contrast, the NEF region did not seem suitable for lineage discrimination. From the 25 HIV-1 subtype B isolates, the lineage could be assigned in 20, 17 of them (85%) belonging to the BCar lineage. The other HIV-1 isolate was found to be a CRF02-AG isolate. The complete genome showed that this isolate was related to isolates circulating in Africa and Europe.
Introduction
Although a sharp decrease in the incidence of HIV-1 infection has been observed in the Caribbean, the prevalence of this viral infection is still around 1% in Dominican Republic (DR), and 4% in its neighboring country Haiti [1]. Around 84,000 people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) were estimated in DR in 2023 [2].
HIV-1 is a member of the Retroviridae family, genus lentivirus, which is divided into four groups (M, N, O, and P), each of which being the product of an independent spillover event from simian viruses infecting non-human primates (chimpanzees and/or gorillas and recombinant viruses from simian viruses infecting those primates) [3]. The Main group M is the one responsible for the Pandemic and has evolved to diversify into 10 subtypes (A-D,F-L) and almost 200 circulating recombinant forms (CRF), strain for which at least three isolates have been identified: product of the recombination of at least two subtypes, in addition to unique recombinant forms, one isolate product of recombination [4–6].
HIV-1 subtype B is predominant in all the Americas [7,8] and in most Caribbean islands [9,10], although other subtypes and recombinant forms are more frequent in Brazil and the South Cone [11,12]. It has been shown that the subtype B circulating in many Caribbean islands is indeed a subtype B introduced before the expansion of the B Pandemic lineage (BPandemic): this lineage has been called the Caribbean B lineage (BCar) [9]. In DR, the BCar lineage has been predominant [9,13]. However, the HIV-1 genetic diversity is a dynamic process in each country, particularly influenced by migration fluxes and tourism. The main origin of tourists in the DR is the United States and Canada, forming North America’s dominant source market, with significant numbers also coming from South American countries like Argentina and Colombia, and from Europe (Spain and France) [14]. In all these countries, the BCar lineage is not predominant, and in the two countries (USA and Canada) that contribute with the most abundant tourists in DR, although HIV-1 BPandemic is predominant, several other subtypes and recombinant forms have been identified [15].
Reading this evidence
Use the full paper to check the study design, participant selection, comparator and outcome definitions before drawing a practical conclusion. An association does not by itself show cause and effect. A reported performance measure needs its denominator and uncertainty. A finding from a particular facility, sample or time period should retain that scope when it is discussed elsewhere.
This briefing makes the source accessible within the wider research & evidence desk. It does not assess an individual patient or certify a product. When considering relevance to another health system, examine the original authors’ account of context and limitations, then seek local implementation evidence. The related reporting below provides other studies to read alongside this one; it is a topic connection, rather than a claim that their results are directly comparable.
© 2026 Lily Soto, Yoneira F. Sulbaran, Rossana C. Jaspe, Francisco Ureña, Yoel Garcia, Carmen Luisa Loureiro, Héctor R. Rangel, Flor H. Pujol. Excerpts reproduced under CC BY. Selection, formatting and contextual notes by Health Signal. The researchers are the authors of the source study, not members of Health Signal’s staff.
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