Genotypic characterization of CRF01_AE env genes derived from human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients residing in central Thailand.

CRF01_AE is a major subtype of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating in Southeast Asia, including Thailand. HIV-1 env genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from blood samples of HIV-1-infected patients residing in Thailand in 2006, and cloned into the pNL4-3-derived reporter viral construct. Generated envelope protein (Env)-recombinant virus was examined for its infectivity, and then 35 infectious CRF01_AE Env-recombinant viruses were selected.