Emerging changes and characteristics of the HIV epidemic in China

This review is intended to provide an overview of newly occurred changes and characteristics of the HIV epidemic over the past decade in China.Both domestic and international literature about HIV epidemic in China in the past ten years were searched and reviewed to provide a brief summary of current status of the HIV epidemic, profiles of HIV risks among key populations, genetic subtypes, and drug resistance, as well as coverage and effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy (ART).The recent HIV epidemic has been stable overall in China, though there are substantial geographic variations.Men who have sex with men (MSM), older men are at high or increasing risks of HIV infection.Various HIV subtypes or recombinant forms have been identified, with CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC increasingly popularized.The national ART program has been drastically scaled up and effective, with cautions on escalated transmission of HIV drug resistance among ART-naive patients.The recent HIV epidemic in China presents new changes and characteristics, underscoring needs of strategic adjustment for HIV control and prevention.