Molecular epidemiology of HIV in Asia

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the worldwide disseminated causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV is grouped in two types named HIV-1 and HIV-2. Asia is home to 60% of the world's population and to 19% of the men, women and children living with HIV in 2004. Close to a million of people has been infected and a half million people died of AIDS annually in Asia, becoming the second largest epicentre of global AIDS epidemic. Molecular epidemiology has been useful tool to track a course of HIV spread. In-depth knowledge from the studies on molecular epidemiology elucidates the dynamics of HIV spread and the interrelationship of epidemics in the different regions in Asia.