Whereas shorter or standard-length V3 loops (34-35 amino acids), presence of PNGS, lower net charge (range + 2 to + 5) and a GPGQ crown motif were associated with CCR5 usage.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Our findings reveal compartment-specific heterogeneity in HIV-1 subtype C coreceptor usage during advanced infection. This evidence concerns the gene CCR5 and infection.