Short Communication: Antiretroviral Therapy Resistance Mutations Present in the HIV Type 1 Subtype C pol and env Regions from Therapy-Naive Patients in Zambia

Authors

Sandra Gonzalez, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Clement Gondwe, University Teaching Hospital
Damien C. Tully, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Veenu Minhas, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Danielle Shea, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Chipepo Kankasa, University Teaching Hospital
Tendai M'soka, University Teaching Hospital
Charles Wood, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2010

Comments

Published in AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES, Volume 26, Number 7, 2010 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Used by Permission DOI: 10.1089/aid.2009.0181

Abstract

The prevalence of antiretroviral therapy (ART) resistance mutations present in HIV-1 subtype C pol and env regions of the proviral DNA was analyzed and compared from therapy-naive individuals before (Cohort A) and after (Cohort B) the availability of free ART in Zambia. Mutations present in sequences published in a previous study from Zambian ART-naive individuals infected with subtype C were analyzed using current parameters for the classification of ART drug resistance and compared with Cohorts A and B. No statistically significant differences were observed when comparing mutations present in the pol and env of these cohorts. However, an increase in the number of minor, borderline, or partial resistance mutations as well as the presence of major resistance mutations were observed in Cohort B. These results suggest there is an increasing trend of drug resistance-associated mutations that could be a result of the availability of free ART in Zambia. Moreover, the high prevalence of resistance mutations observed for maraviroc and vicriviroc in both cohorts may suggest a limited efficacy of entry inhibitors on HIV-1 subtype C.