Identifying the key nodes of HIV molecular transmission network among men who have sex with men in Guangzhou, China: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Identifying the most influential spreaders in HIV transmission networks is crucial to develop effective prevention strategies. The purpose of this study is to identify the key nodes of the molecular transmission network among MSM, which has significant insight into developing effective HIV prevention strategies. Methods We analyzed HIV-1 pol sequences provided through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China. Sequences were obtained from newly-HIV diagnosed MSM during 2015–2017. We calculated pairwise genetic distance, identified linked pairs of sequences (those with distance ≤ 1.5%), and examined key nodes of these potential transmission partners. Results Of 184 HIV recently diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM), 40.76% were linked to other MSM. Social network analysis demonstrated that there were 9 key nodes were detected. From the results of multivariate logistic regression model, young MSM born in the 1990s and 1980s was 0.06 and 0.12 times as likely to be a key node as was the older MSM born in the 1970s and before. Conclusions There were a lot of subgroups connected by sharing comembers in HIV molecular transmission network among MSM in Guangzhou. Some HIV-infected MSM called as key nodes mediated the transmission of HIV among different subpopulations. Young MSM were less likely to promote HIV transmission than older MSM.