Genetic diversity and drug resistance of HIV-1 among infected pregnant women newly diagnosed in Luanda, Angola

Abstract

Monitoring genetic diversity and drug resistance mutations (DRMs) is critical for understanding HIV epidemiology. Here, we report HIV-1 genetic diversity and DRMs in blood samples from 42 HIV-positive pregnant women naive to antiretroviral therapy (ART), in Luanda. The samples were subjected to nested-PCR, followed by sequencing of HIV-1 pol gene, targeting the protease and reverse transcriptase fragments. HIV-1 diversity was analyzed using the REGA HIV-1 subtyping tool and DRMs were identified using the Calibrated Population Resistance tool. A total of 34 sequences were obtained. The data revealed wide HIV-1 subtypes heterogeneity, with subtype C (38%, 13/34) the most frequent, followed by the subtypes F1 (18%, 6/34), A1 (9%, 3/34), G (9%, 3/34), D (6%, 2/34) and H (3%, 1/34). In addition, recombinants strains were detected, with CRF02_AG (6%, 2/34) the most frequent, followed by CRF37_cpx, F1/C, A1/G and H/G, all with 3% (1/34). A total of 6/34 (18%) of the sequences presented DRMs. The non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors presented 15% (5/34) of resistance. Moreover, 1/34 (3%) sequence presented resistance against both non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, simultaneously. Despite the small sample size, our results suggest the need to update currently used ART regimens. Surveillance of HIV-1 subtypes and DRMs are necessary to understand HIV epidemiology and to guide modification of ART guidelines in Angola.

HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and syphilis among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Luanda, Angola: Seroprevalence and risk factors

“…Plasma samples were thawed and HIV ribonucleic acid (RNA) was manually extracted from 140 μL of plasma with the QIAamp Viral RNA kit (QIAGEN, Germany), according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The HIV‐infection was further confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the protocol described previously 9 . Commercially available immunoassay rapid test kits were used to screen the presence of the HBV (Rapid Labs, UK), HCV (Rapid Labs), and Syphilis (Labmann).…”

“…The HIV-infection was further confirmed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the protocol described previously. 9 Commercially available immunoassay rapid test kits were used to screen the presence of the HBV (Rapid Labs, UK), HCV (Rapid Labs), and Syphilis (Labmann). Briefly, a volume of 50 µL of plasma sample was used for each rapid test targeting the HBV, HCV, and Syphilis.…”

Evaluating vertical transmission of sexually transmitted infections to newborns

“…We evaluated HIV-1 VT in 14 infected mothers with no data on viral load and absence of any preventive intervention was observed in four of them. High HIV-1 genetic diversity in Angola is also a challenge for molecular diagnosis [14]. Concerning T. pallidum VT among four infected mothers, there was almost no disease history available.…”

Factors Influencing HIV Drug Resistance among Pregnant Women in Luanda, Angola: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study

“…For each participant, a blood sample was collected using vacutainers, and all prepared serum samples were stored at −80 °C until usage. HIV-1 genotyping test was carried out according to an in-house method as previously described [ 11 ]. The HIV nucleotide sequences obtained were submitted to the GenBank (NCBI) database and assigned accession numbers MK543512 to MK543545.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that investigates factors related to the spread of drug resistance mutation (DRMs) in HIV-positive pregnant women in Luanda, the capital of Angola. The information set out in this paper is an extension of our recently published study on HIV-1 diversity and drug resistance in pregnant women [ 11 ]. Hence, this study makes it possible to promote health education campaigns and strengthen the ongoing strategies in the control of HIVDR in Angola.…”