Impact of MDR-1 mutations on HIV viral load and gender-specific effects: Insights from Co-Infection with malaria parasites

Abstract

Objectives MDR-1 mutations in HIV patients cause a significant increase in viral load due to impaired function of the transporter protein responsible for eliminating drugs from cells. As a result, infected cells show reduced drug removal, leading to elevated viral replication and higher viral load levels in the bloodstream. This poses challenges in HIV treatment, potentially leading to treatment failure and the development of drug-resistant viral strains. Identifying MDR-1 mutations in HIV patients is crucial to optimise treatment approaches, potentially involving alternative medications or combination therapies to overcome drug resistance. Material and Methods The study utilised various laboratory techniques to analyse the collected blood samples, including HIV serology using rapid diagnostic kits, viral load estimation using the COBAS® Ampli Prep/COBAS® Taq Man® HIV-1 Test, microscopy for detecting malaria parasites and PCR for characterising Plasmodium species and studying resistance genes. Results There is a positive relationship with the viral load when comparing patients who tested negative for MDR-1 mutations to those who tested positive. The p-value for this relationship is stated as <0.001, which means it is less than 0.001. This indicates that the relationship is statistically significant (p < 0.001), and we can conclude that MDR-1 status has a significant impact on viral load. HIV patients with identified MDR-1 mutations have been shown to have a dramatic increase in their viral load than in the absence of the mutation. Conclusion In conclusion, this study sheds light on the impact of MDR-1 mutations on HIV viral load, gender-specific effects and their interactions with malaria co-infection. The findings emphasise the importance of personalised treatment strategies for HIV patients, considering genetic variations, gender-specific factors and co-infections to optimise management and improve health outcomes in regions with overlapping disease burdens.