HIV-1 Drug Resistance and Genetic Transmission Networks Among MSM Failing Antiretroviral Therapy in South China 2014–2019

Abstract

Background Guangdong, located in South China, is one of the areas heavily affected by HIV-1 in China. The transmission of HIV-1 among men who have sex with men (MSM) has gradually been increasing in Guangdong. Objective To investigate the characteristics of the HIV-1 drug resistance, and genetic transmission networks in MSM with antiretroviral therapy (ART) failure from 2014 to 2019 in Guangdong. Methods HIV-1 pol gene sequences were amplified. An online subtyping tool was used to determine the genotype, and a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to confirm the genotype results. The Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database was used to analyse the sequences of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) and drug resistance profiles. A pairwise Tamura-Nei 93 genetic distance-based method was used to analyse the genetic transmission networks. Results Of 393 sequences isolated from HIV-infected MSM with ART failure, CRF01_AE (47.3%), CRF07_BC (21.4%) and CRF55_01B (21.4%) were the top three strains. 55.2% individuals harboured NRTI DRMs, whereas 67.4% carried NNRTI DRMs. 96.8% cases harboured mutations resistance to NRTIs or NNRTIs at high-level. The most common DRMs were M184I/V (42.2%), followed by V179D/E (37.9%) and K65R (27.2%). Of the subtype B sequences, no sequence fell into a cluster. Of the CRF01_AE, CRF55_01B, and CRF59_01B sequences, 14.5%, 61.9%, and 33.3% fell into clusters, respectively. Of the CRF07_BC sequences, 39.3% fell into clusters. The majority of MSM in transmission networks were concentrated at age below 35 years old, with multiple links. Moreover, approximately 54.8% of MSM had more than 2 potential transmission partners. Conclusion Drug resistance mutations more frequently occurred in NNRTIs among MSM with ART failure in Guangdong Province. Transmission network analysis revealed a complex transmission pattern, and more attention should be given to younger HIV-1-infected MSM with multiple links.

Retrospective Study on Genetic Diversity and Drug Resistance among People Living with HIV at an AIDS Clinic in Beijing

“…The prevalence of ADR mutations for NNRTIs was 92.6% (50/54), which was significantly higher than that for NRTIs (59.3%, 32/54) and PIs (5.6%, 3/54). The most prevalent mutation site for NRTIs was M184V, which may have been influenced by the frequent use of 3TC in Beijing [ 43 , 44 ]. This was followed by K65R, which is strongly associated with high-level resistance to FTC, DDI, D4T, and TDF.…”

The Effect of Pretreatment Potential Resistance to NNRTIs on Antiviral Therapy in Patients With HIV/AIDS

“…Many articles about HIV-1 drug resistance in China [10][11][12] refer to V179E/D as the most common NNRTIassociated mutation. V179E is a nonpolymorphic mutation weakly selected by NVP and EFV.…”

Biophysical Characterization of Novel DNA Aptamers against K103N/Y181C Double Mutant HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase

“…Many researchers have reported primary drug treatment-induced resistance mutations against NNRTI. A high prevalence of NNRTIs drug mutations was found in K103N, V106M, Y181C, and G190A [ 3 , 4 ]. Ngo-Giang-Huong et al informed that the mutation of K103N was detected in patients on efavirenz (EFV) more than nevirapine (NVP) treatment.…”