A 1.39-million-sample map of HIV-1 shows the diversity diagnostics and vaccines must keep pace with
The study assembled 1,395,222 HIV-1 subtype observations from 154 countries between 1990 and 2024 and weighted country estimates using UNAIDS numbers of people living with HIV. In 2020-24, subtype C represented 48.7% globally, followed by subtype A at 11.5% and subtype B at 10.3%. Unique and circulating recombinant forms were also substantial. Regional patterns differed sharply: subtype C dominated southern Africa and south Asia, CRF01_AE southeast Asia, and CRF07_BC increased in east Asia.