Abstract
BackgroundComplex mosaic structures of HIV-1 were found in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Currently, there is limited information on the circulating HIV-1 strains, the distribution of these strains and antiretroviral (ART) resistant viruses in different regions of the country, and the HIV-1 strains harbored by the high-risk groups like female sex workers (FSW) reported to be the source of recombinant and ART resistant viruses.MethodsDried Blood Spots (DBS), collected from 325 infected FSWs in ten cities from 2012 DRC HIV/STI Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey, were tested for HIV-1 genotypes and antiretroviral resistance mutations. Regional segregation of HIV-1 clades was detected using phylogenetics. The significance for differences in HIV-1 subtype and drug resistance mutations were evaluated using Chi-square tests.ResultsThere were 145 (env) and 93 (pol) sequences analyzed. Based on env sequences, the predominant subtype was A1 (44%), and recombinants as defined pol sequences comprised 35% of the total sample. Paired sequences of pol and env from DRC FSW revealed mosaic recombinant in 54% of the sequences. Distinct geographic distributions of different HIV-1 subtypes and recombinants were observed. Subtype A1 was prevalent (40%) in Goma located in the East and significantly higher than in Mbuji-Mayi (p<0.05) in the South-central region, or in Lubumbashi in the South. Antiretroviral resistance was detected in 21.5% of 93 pol sequences analyzed, with the M184I/V and K103N mutations that confer high-level resistance to NRTI and NNRTI, respectively, being the most frequent mutations. However, the K103N mutant viruses were found only in the East.ConclusionHIV-1 variants found in DRC FSW reflect those reported to circulate in the general population from the corresponding geographical locations. HIV-1 mosaic genetics were readily detected in FSW. Importantly, ART resistance mutations to NNRTI and NRTI were common in the DRC sex workers.
Highlights
The group M Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1) epidemic likely originated from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and subsequently disseminated throughout the country via rail and river traffic in the 1960s, before spreading globally[1,2,3]
HIV-1 variants found in DRC female sex workers (FSW) reflect those reported to circulate in the general population from the corresponding geographical locations
HIV-1 mosaic genetics were readily detected in FSW
Summary
The group M Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1) epidemic likely originated from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and subsequently disseminated throughout the country via rail and river traffic in the 1960s, before spreading globally[1,2,3]. As one of the first countries affected by the AIDS epidemic, DRC, has an epidemic characterized by a complex population of HIV-1 subtypes and divergent HIV recombinant variants. While recombination events resulting in replication competent and adequately fit progeny are predicted to be low probability events, such probabilities are likely enhanced in high risk populations, such as the female sex workers (FSWs) due to high rates of superinfection[10,11,12]. There is limited information on the circulating HIV-1 strains, the distribution of these strains and antiretroviral (ART) resistant viruses in different regions of the country, and the HIV-1 strains harbored by the high-risk groups like female sex workers (FSW) reported to be the source of recombinant and ART resistant viruses
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
