Low level of baseline resistance in recently HCV-infected men who have sex with men with high-risk behaviours. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nguyen, Thuy; Valantin, Marc-Antoine; Delaugerre, Constance; Amiel, Corinne; Netzer, Emmanuelle; L'Yavanc, Thomas; Ohayon, Michel; Valin, Nadia; Day, Nesrine; Kreplak, Georges; Pialoux, Gilles; Calvez, Vincent; Molina, Jean-Michel; Marcelin, Anne-Geneviève; Todesco, Eve
• Is Part Of: Journal of global antimicrobial resistance. Volume 24(2021)
• Page Start: 311
• Page End: 315
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Men who have sex with men -- Deep sequencing -- Hepatitis C virus -- HCV -- Resistance transmission -- Pre-exposure prophylaxis; Drug resistance -- Periodicals; Drug resistance -- Periodicals; Drug resistance; Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2021.01.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-7165

Abstract

Highlights: Analysis of pre-treatment resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) among recently HCV-infected MSM with risky behaviours. Uncommon NS3/NS5A RASs among recently HCV-infected MSM with risky behaviour. High prevalence of subtype-specific polymorphisms in GT4d infections. Reassurance of the clinical management of HCV infection in this population. Abstract: Objectives: Presence of baseline hepatitis C virus (HCV) resistance-associated substitutions (RASs) can impair treatment outcome of direct-acting antivirals. We investigated the prevalence of pre-treatment HCV resistance among recently HCV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) with high risk behaviours, either human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infected or at high risk of HIV acquisition and under pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Methods: NS5A and NS3 fragments were deep sequenced on pre-treatment samples of 72 subjects using Illumina MiSeq paired-end sequencing technology. Ultra-deep sequencing data were analysed by SmartGene® platform. RASs mentioned in the literature were analysed and interpreted depending on genotype (GT) at 10% cut-off. Results: HCV genotyping showed 36 (50.0%) GT1a, 31 (43.1%) GT4d and 5 (6.9%) GT3a infections. Fifty-five patients (76.4%) were co-infected with HIV and 15 (20.8%) received PrEP. In GT1a viruses, NS3 RASs were found in 4/30 viruses (13.3%; S122 G/N, R155 K and I170 V) and Q80 K polymorphism was present in 14/30 viruses (46.7%). No NS3 RASs were detected in GT4d and GT3a viruses. NS5A RASs were detected in 3/36 GT1a viruses (8.3%; Q30E/R, L31 M and H58 L). NS5A subtype-specific polymorphisms L30R and T58 P were found at high frequencies in 31/31 (100%) and 16/31 (51.6%) GT4d viruses, respectively. One RAS M31 L was also observed along with the polymorphisms L30R and T58 P. No NS5A RASs were detected in GT3a viruses. Conclusion: A low level of RASs to NS3 and NS5A inhibitors in pre-treatment samples was detected in the study population. Our findings reassure the clinical management of HCV infection in this high-risk population.