Virologic status and pattern of drug resistance mutation among ART-experienced HIV-infected patients in Butuo County,...

To assess the virological outcomes, prevalence of HIV drug resistance mutation (DRM), and correlates in Butuo County.

We conducted a cross-sectional study. Virological failure (VF) was defined as HIV-1 RNA ≥1000 copies/mL and on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥6 months. Genotypic drug resistance was performed among VF cases. Correlates of DRM were identified using multivariate logistic regression.

The overall virological suppression rate was 85.3%; DRM was detected in 42.6% (517/1215) VF cases and 6.2% of the sample patients. A total of 90.9% of patients were infected with HIV-1 CRF07_BC subtype. The prevalence of DRM to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) were 46.0% and 96.9%, respectively. The most prevalent mutation for NRTI was M184V (84.5%). Lamivudine (3TC), emtricitabine (FTC), and abacavir (ABC) had the highest resistance rates. For NNRTI, K103N (60.7%), nevirapine (NVP), and efavirenz (EFV) had the highest resistance rates and cross resistance to rilpivirine (RPV), doravirine (DOR), and etravirine (ETR). Ritonavir boosted lopinavir (LPV/r) resistance rate was extremely low. The occurrence of DRM was associated with age at ART ≤18 years, baseline CD4 count ≤200 cells/mL, NVP-based regimen, and ART duration >3 years.

A relatively high proportion of VF and broad DRM for NRTI and NNRTI were observed, causing high-level resistance to first-line NRTI, NNRTI, and next generation NNRTI. Our findings necessitate the implementation of scaling up virological monitoring, adherence support, and timely switching to an LPV/r-containing regimen when patients with VF to reduce the occurrence of DRM.