Molecular Genetic Characteristics of Hiv-1 Variants Isolated in the Subjects of the Russian Far East

Abstract

Introduction. Molecular-genetic monitoring of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug-resistant strains circulation as well as analysis of territorial peculiarities of different genetic variants prevalence of the virus is a crucial part of epidemiological surveillance over HIV-infection spread. Objective of the research - to analyze the prevalence of HIV-1 genetic variants among HIV-positive people living in different constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal District. Material and methods. Molecular-genetic analysis of the Pol-gene that is coding protease and a part of reverse transcriptase of HIV-1 was performed for a total number of 206 blood plasma samples. The biological material was collected from HIV-positive people living in Sakhalin, Magadan and Amur regions, Jewish Autonomous District, Khabarovsk region, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Chukotka Autonomous Region (constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the Russian Far East). Results. The research demonstrated that HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 continues to be dominant and comprises 72.1±3.1% of all isolated subtypes in the regions of the Russian Far East. HIV-1 subtype B was identified in 14 cases (6.8±1.8%) and subtype C in 4 cases (1.9±1.0%). Spectrum of HIV-1 recombinant forms was determined for some regions. We identified five types of HIV-1 circulating recombinant forms (CRF): CRF03_AB - 2 (0.9±0.7%), CRF02_AG - 8 (3.9±1.3%), CRF63_02A1 - 27 (13.1±2.4%), CRF11_cpx - 1 (0.5±0.5%), CRF01_AE - 3 (1.5±0.8%). High heterogeneity of the virus was registered in the Jewish Autonomous District. Discussion. The conducted research revealed genetic differences in the landscape of HIV-1 subtypes circulation as well as differences in HIV-1 recombinant forms distribution frequency in the Russian Far East. Current findings are due to expansion of migration flows that promote cross-border importation and further spread of different HIV-1 genetic variants among population of the Far Eastern Federal District. Conclusion. The conducted research revealed that the molecular-genetic monitoring of HIV-1 genovariants should involve not only regions with high HIV-abundance but also with low HIV-prevalence and incidence.

Detection of Patient HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations in Russia’s Northwestern Federal District in Patients with Treatment Failure

“…Mutations associated with resistance to protease inhibitors were found in only eight cases (6%). This may be due to a higher genetic barrier to resistance with PIs, or their less frequent use in treatment regimens of the patients examined [ 9 , 22 ].…”

Spatiotemporal dynamics of HIV-1 CRF63_02A6 sub-epidemic

“…This genetic variant predominates in most of the Russian territories ever since ( Bobkov et al, 2004 ; Thomson et al, 2009 ; Diez-Fuertes et al, 2015 ; Aibekova et al, 2018 ). In late-1990s, HIV-1 sub-epidemic among different high-risk groups was detected on the territories of the Russian Fast East ( Kazennova et al, 2014 ; Kotova et al, 2019 ) and European part of Russia ( Liitsola et al, 2000 ; Lebedev et al, 2020 ; Ozhmegova et al, 2020 ). Currently, along with the predominant sub-subtype A6, subtypes B, C, and CRF03_AB have been constantly identified ( Karamov et al, 2018 ; Pasechnik and Blokh, 2018 ; Kotova et al, 2019 ; Safina et al, 2022 ).…”

“…In late-1990s, HIV-1 sub-epidemic among different high-risk groups was detected on the territories of the Russian Fast East ( Kazennova et al, 2014 ; Kotova et al, 2019 ) and European part of Russia ( Liitsola et al, 2000 ; Lebedev et al, 2020 ; Ozhmegova et al, 2020 ). Currently, along with the predominant sub-subtype A6, subtypes B, C, and CRF03_AB have been constantly identified ( Karamov et al, 2018 ; Pasechnik and Blokh, 2018 ; Kotova et al, 2019 ; Safina et al, 2022 ). In 2006, a local HIV-1 sub-epidemic was caused by the distribution of the novel genetic lineage CRF63_02A6 in Siberia ( Baryshev et al, 2012 , 2014 ).…”

“…Initial HIV-1 epidemic in Russia occurred mainly among PWID and their sexual partners. But since 2016, the number of people infected through the heterosexual contacts exceeded the PWID cases and the epidemic has transmitted to the general population ( Bobkov et al, 1998 ; Bobkova, 2013 ; Kazennova et al, 2014 ; Kotova et al, 2019 ; Schlösser et al, 2020 ).…”