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Amplification of Near Full-length HIV-1 Proviruses for Next-Generation Sequencing
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Persistence of multidrug-resistant HIV-1 in primary infection leading to superinfection

Bluma Brenner1, Jean-Pierre Routy, Yudong Quan

  • 1McGill University AIDS Centre, Jewish General Hospital and McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

AIDS (London, England)
|July 29, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) HIV-1 infections can persist for years in primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) cases, with one instance of MDR superinfection observed. Genotypic analysis in PHI is crucial for identifying MDR infections and superinfections impacting treatment outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Previous studies documented multidrug resistance (MDR) persistence in primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) for 1-2 years without treatment.
  • This study investigates the long-term evolution of transmitted wild-type (WT), drug-resistant, and MDR HIV-1 infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the evolutionary dynamics of transmitted HIV-1 infections (WT, resistant, MDR) in PHI.
  • To document the long-term persistence of MDR HIV-1 infections and identify instances of superinfection.

Main Methods:

  • Genotypic analysis of viral quasi-species over 1.5-7 years in 31 PHI patients.
  • Sequencing of reverse transcriptase and protease regions to identify resistance mutations.
  • Phylogenetic and clonal analysis to confirm superinfection.

Main Results:

  • Little viral quasi-species evolution observed (>99.6% homology) for over 1.5 years in WT, resistant, and MDR infections.
  • Transmitted resistance mutations persisted for 2-7 years; MDR infections showed long-term persistence.
  • One case of MDR superinfection was confirmed, where an initial MDR infection was cleared and replaced by a second MDR strain.

Conclusions:

  • Genotypic analysis in PHI is valuable for identifying superinfections and MDR infections.
  • MDR infections and superinfections are significant factors influencing virological and treatment outcomes in PHI.

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