ObjectiveThe integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) are an important class in the arsenal of antiretroviral drugs designed to block the integration of HIV-1 cDNA into the host DNA through the inhibition of DNA strand transfer. In this study for the first time in Morocco, the complete HIV-1 integrase gene was analysed from newly diagnosed patients to evaluate the prevalence of natural polymorphisms and INSTIs resistance-associated mutations in the integrase gene.ResultsThe 864pb IN coding region was successfully sequenced from plasma sample for 77 among 80 antiretroviral naïve patients. The sequences were interpreted for drug resistance according to the Stanford algorithm. Sixty samples were HIV-1 subtype B (78%), fourteen CRF02_AG (18%), two subtype C and one subtype A. Overall 81 of 288 (28%) amino acid IN positions presented at least one polymorphism each. We found 18 (36.73%), 42 (25.76%) and 21 (27.27%) of polymorphic residues assigned to the N-Terminal Domain, Catalytic Core Domaine and the C-Terminal Domain positions respectively. Primary INSTIs resistance mutation were absent, however secondary mutations L74IM, T97A were detected in four samples (5.2%). These results demonstrate that untreated HIV-1 infected Moroccans will be susceptible to INSTIs.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3492-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

SummaryIn this work a chromosomal study in Equus asinus is presented. Forty-two specimens, belonging to five different Spanish breeds in risk of disappearing, have been analysed. Metaphases have been sequentially stained (uniform, G-banded and C-banded) and analysed. All specimens, except one, presented 2n ¼ 62 chromosomes. Variation in chromosome number (2n ¼ 63) is because of a fission in one chromosome of pair no. 3, resulting in two acrocentric chromosomes. Polymorphisms affecting the size of heterochromatic C+ bands and the presence of hetrochromatic 1p and 4p arms are also analysed. The results show no polymorphisms which can be attributed to a particular breed. From the chromosomal point of view, all Spanish asinine specimens correspond to a single population. Rearrangements detected suggest a fission tendency in the homologous E. asinus no. 3 chromosome in Equidae species. Zusammenfassung

<b><i>Background:</i></b> We aimed to analyze for the first time in Morocco the integrase (IN) sequence variability among highly experienced HIV-1-infected patients with no prior IN strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) exposure who failed on reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The HIV-1 IN region was sequenced from plasma samples of all 78 recruited patients. The amino acid IN sequences were HIV-1 subtyped and screened for the presence of polymorphisms against the HxB2 clade B consensus sequence by the geno2pheno subtyping tool and interpreted for drug resistance according to the Stanford algorithm. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The viral subtypes were subtype B (88.4%), CRF02_AG (8.9%), CRF01_AE (1.28%), and subtype C (1.28%). The major INSTI resistance mutations at positions 66, 92, 118, 138, 140, 143, 147, 148, 155, and 263 were absent, while two accessory mutations, L74M/I, known to have no clinical impact to INSTIs in the absence of the major resistance mutations, were detected in three samples (3.84%; two CRF02_AG and one CRF01_AE). Others specific substitutions with an uncertain role on the HIV-1 susceptibility to INSTIs at positions 72, 101, 119, 124, 156, 165, 193, 201, 203, 206, 230, 232, and 249 were found to be relatively common. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This study demonstrated that INSTIs should be an excellent alternative for salvage therapy in highly experienced patients with multidrug resistant viruses in Morocco.

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