Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Drug Resistance Mutations in Iranian Treatment-experienced Individuals

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection still remains a global health threat. While antiretroviral therapy is the primary treatment option, concerns about the emergence of drug-resistance mutations and treatment failure in HIV-infected patients persist.

In this study, we investigated the development of drug resistance in HIV-1-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy for 6-10 years.

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated 144 people living with HIV-1 who had received antiretroviral therapy for at least 6 years. Plasma specimens were collected, and the HIV-1 viral load and drug-resistance mutations were assessed using molecular techniques.

The demographic and epidemiological characteristics of the participants were also analyzed: Twelve [8.3%) of the studied patients showed a viral load over 1000 copies per/mL, which indicates the suboptimal response to antiretroviral therapy. Significant correlations were found between viral load and CD4 count, as well as epidemiological factors, such as vertical transmission, history of imprisonment, and needle stick injuries. Drug resistance mutations were detected in 10 (83.3%) of patients who failed on antiretroviral therapy, with the most common mutations observed against nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (5 (41.7%)) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (9 (75%)). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 12 patients who failed treatment were infected with CRF35_AD.

Our study provides important insights into the characteristics and development of drug resistance in HIV-1-infected individuals receiving long-term antiretroviral therapy in Iran. The findings underline the need for regular viral load monitoring, individualized treatment selection, and targeted interventions to optimize treatment outcomes and prevent the further spread of drug-resistant strains.