Analysis of HIV‐1 integrase genotypes and polymorphisms among integrase inhibitors‐based antiretroviral treatment naïve patients in South Sudan. Issue 7 (26th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Giovanetti, Marta; Farcomeni, Stefania; Sernicola, Leonardo; Virtuoso, Sara; Fontanelli Sulekova, Lucia; Maggiorella, Maria T; Buttò, Stefano; Taliani, Gloria; Ciccozzi, Massimo; Borsetti, Alessandra
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical virology. Volume 94:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 3320
• Page End: 3327
• Publication Date: 2022-03-26
• Subjects: HIV‐1 genotyping -- INSTIs -- integrase -- Naïve patients -- resistance mutations -- South Sudan; Virology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27713
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-6615

Abstract

Abstract: HIV‐1 genetic diversity and drug resistance mutations remain public health challenges especially in regions where treatment is limited. The aim of this study was to characterize the HIV‐1 integrase (IN) subtype and the possible occurrence of drug‐resistance mutations or polymorphisms in resource‐poor settings in South Sudan. Dried blood spots from integrase inhibitor treatment (Integrase strand transfer inhibitor [INSTI]) naïve HIV‐1 infected patients were subjected to DNA amplification and direct sequencing of integrase genes. The sequences were interpreted for drug resistance according to the Stanford algorithm and the International AIDS Society‐USA guidelines. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that HIV‐1 subtype D, C, G, A1, and recombinant forms accounted for 40%, 10%, 13.3%, 23.4%, and 13.3%, respectively. Furthermore, inter‐subtype recombinants were interspersed within viral strains sampled in other African countries, highlighting complex transmission dynamics within a mobile host population. A total of 78 of 288 (27%) amino acid IN positions presented at least one polymorphism each. Major INSTI resistance mutations were absent, however, polymorphic accessory mutations at positions M50ILR (26.6%) and L74I (3.3%) were detected. Despite the limited size of the study population, our findings underscore the need for monitoring minor and natural polymorphisms that may influence the outcome of treatment regimens.