Phylogeny and drug resistance of HIV PR gene among HIV patients receiving RT inhibitors in Iran

ObjectiveTo survey the level and patterns of reverse transcriptase-based drug resistance and subtype distribution among antiretroviral-treated HIV-infected patients receiving only reverse transcriptase inhibitors in Iran.MethodsA total of 25 samples of antiretroviral therapy experienced patients with no history of using protease inhibitors were collected. After RNA extraction, reverse transcriptase-nested PCR was performed. The final products were sequenced and then analysed for drug-resistant mutations and subtypes.ResultsNo drug resistant mutations were observed among the 25 subjects. The results showed the following subtypes among patients: CRF 35_AD (88%), CRF 28_BF (8%), and CRF 29_BF (4%).ConclusionsA significant increase in drug resistance has been noted in recently-infected patients worldwide. Subtype distributions are needed to perform properly-designed surveillance studies to continuously monitor rates and patterns of transmitted drug resistance and subtypes to help guide therapeutic approaches and limit transmission of these variants.