Subtypes and primary drug-resistant gene mutations in HIV-1 infections in Jiangyin

Abstract

Objective To investigate the subtypes and primary drug resistant (PDR)mutations among HIV-1 infected population in Jiangyin. Methods Anticoagulated blood samples were collected from HIV infected individuals confirmed and managed by Jiangyin CDC from 2013-2015, and epidemiological data were analyzed. The pol gene was amplified by nested-PCR from the DNA extraction and then sequenced. Phylogenetic tree was constructed to determine the subtypes of the samples. PDR mutations and viral susceptibility to ARTs were interpreted with the Surveillance Drug Resistance Mutations (SDRM)list recommended by WHO and Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance database. Results The pol gene of 100 cases was successfully amplified and sequenced among 111 samples enrolled in this study, 7 different subtypes were found by phylogenetic tree analysis and CRF01_AE(44/100), CRF07_BC(21/100), CRF67_01B(14/100)subtypes accounted for the main part. Fourteen participants (14/100)met the WHO guidelines of having HIV-1 PDR. NRTI, NNRTI, PI PDR mutation rates were 3.0%, 7.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. Nine cases of the 14 infections with PDR presented clinical DR and the resistance rate was 8.1%, of which CRF01_AE accounted for the main part (5/9). Conclusions The prevalence of HIV-1 infections of different subtypes in Jiangyin city varied and there was a certain proportion of primary drug resistance. Corresponding drug resistance testing should be carried out for new HIV infections before treatment and reasonable antiviral treatment plan should be formulated, which will reduce the emergence of drug-resistant strains ultimately. Key words: HIV; Viral subtypes; Primary drug resistance