Polymorphism, Recombination, and Mutations in HIV Type 1gag-Infecting Peruvian Male Sex Workers

Abstract

HIV genetic diversity in female sex workers (FSW) has been previously described in Peru; however this information is not yet available for male sex workers (MSW). Therefore, purified peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA from 147 HIV-infected subjects identified as MSW and FSW was used to amplify a 460-bp fragment corresponding to the p24-p7 region of the gag gene. The PCR product was digested with restriction enzymes to identify genetic polymorphism. Later, a random group of samples (n = 19) was sequenced to perform phylogenetic analysis, intragenic recombination analysis, and deleterious mutations leading to a nonfunctional protein in conservative regions of the Gag protein. RFLP analysis revealed 11 genetic variants for AluI and five for MspI. A group of nonsex workers (NSW) used for comparison showed different RFLP genetic variant distributions. Of interest, nine cases of mixed genetic variants were observed for MSW, one case for FSW, and none for NSW. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all HIV-1 species were subtype B. Intragenic recombination analysis showed a B/C recombination case from an FSW (boostrap = 1000; p value < 0.05). Of interest, deleterious mutations were observed in three cases of conservative D2 zinc domains for Gag 3/19 and one case of the high homology region (1/19). This study shows that gag of HIV circulating from MSW has high genetic polymorphism involving deleterious mutations in conserved domains from the p24-p7 gag region.

New Subtypes and Genetic Recombination in HIV Type 1-Infecting Patients with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Peru (2008–2010)

“…26 In this study, subtype C was detected in an Argentinean patient (Dr. La Rosa, personal communication, 2011) who represents the first recorded imported case in Peru. Of interest, evidence of B/C recombination reported previously 8 and in this article suggests that this finding does not necessarily represent an isolated case. A program of continued subtype surveillance is necessary, especially in border areas with Brazil, in order to determine additional cases of subtype C in this country.…”

“…7 The high frequency of subtype B was persistent in Peruvian populations regardless of their sexual behavior and epidemiologic characteristics. 5,8,9,20 This information suggests that subtype B has gained important epidemiologic success in this country in contrast to other subtypes previously identified such as A and F. 7,9,21 In this work we have identified cases of subtypes A, C, and H (n = 4). In regard to subtype A, there is only one case reported in South America from a Peruvian heterosexual male patient, 7 who denied having had sexual contact with any individuals from other countries.…”

“…However, subtypes F and CRF17_BF have also been found in lower percentages. [7][8][9][10] Notoriously, infection with some non-B subtypes and CRFs can affect both disease progression 11 and clinical treatment, 12 because they show differential pathogenic and resistance patterns in relation to subtype B. In this context, subtype identification in patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) might be very important for future studies focused to the discovery and interpretation of new drugresistant mutations that are subtype specific.…”

In-Depth Analysis of the Origins of HIV Type 1 Subtype C in South America

“…20 In a study published in 2005, Castro et al 20 observed that 2 (1 pure, one recombinant) out of 106 cases from Venezuela had C subtype sequences, suggesting a proportion of HIV-1C larger than the one observed in Argentina by one order of magnitude. In a study performed in Peru, Yabar et al 62 observed that 1 out of 19 randomly taken samples was a B=C recombinant, also suggesting the circulation of HIV-1C strains in this country. Thus, our sample might be too small to yield conclusive results.…”