Article
HIV-1 subtype C dissemination in southern Brazil
Registro en:
SOARES, E. A. J. M. et al. HIV-1 subtype C dissemination in southern Brazil. AIDS, London, v. 19, p. S81–S86, 2005. Suppl. 4.
0269-9370
10.1097/01.aids.0000191497.00928.e4
Autor
Soares, Esmeralda A. J. M.
Martínez, Ana M. B.
Souza, Thatiana M.
Santos, André F. A.
Hora, Vanusa da
Silveira, Jussara
Bastos, Francisco Inácio Pinkusfeld Monteiro
Tanuri, Amilcar
Soares, Marcelo A.
Resumen
Objectives: To describe the molecular and epidemiological profile of HIV-1 in patients followed at the University Hospital of Rio Grande, Brazil. Design and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2002. Plasma viral RNA of 85 patients was extracted and protease and reverse transcriptase genes were polymerase chain reaction-amplified and sequenced. Sequences were subtyped and examined to antiretroviral resistance mutations. Laboratory data and past history of antiretroviral treatment were also collected. Results: Most viruses were either subtype B (42%) or subtype C (45%). No risk behaviour, sexual orientation or laboratory parameter was associated with any specific subtype, but subtype C tended to be more frequently found in women (P ¼ 0.06). The prevalence of subtype C has increased over the HIV/AIDS epidemic, accounting for almost 60% of cases diagnosed in 2002. Intra-subtype genetic distances were smaller in subtype C than in subtype B, suggesting a more recent introduction of the former in the epidemic. Of patients under treatment, 60% had at least one antiretroviral drug resistance mutation, but no mutation was specifically associated with any HIV-1 subtype. Only one resistance mutation each was found in drug-naive patients with subtypes B and C. Conclusion: Despite the fact that subtype C appeared in southern Brazil more recently than subtype B, it is now the predominant strain in Rio Grande. The epidemic spread of subtype C could be taking place in Brazil, and possibly in south America, a phenomenon similar to that seen in other countries where this subtype is now totally dominant.