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Background Integrase strand transfer inhibitor–based regimens are recommended for first-line therapy in human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2). Nonetheless, dolutegravir (DTG) clinical trial data are lacking. Methods We conducted a phase 2, single-arm, open-label trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a triple therapy regimen that included DTG in persons with HIV-2 (PWHIV-2) in Portugal. Treatment-naive adults receive DTG in combination with 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). Treatment efficacy was evaluated by the proportion of patients who achieved a plasma viral load (pVL) <40 copies/mL and/or by the change from baseline in CD4+ T-cell count and in CD4/CD8 ratio at week 48. Results A total of 30 patients were enrolled (22 women; median age, 55 years). At baseline, 17 (56.7%) individuals were viremic (median, pVL 190 copies/mL; interquartile range [IQR], 99–445). The median CD4 count was 438 cells/μL (IQR, 335–605), and the CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.8. Three patients discontinued the study. At week 48, all participants (27) had pVL <40 copies/mL. No virological failures were observed. Mean changes in CD4 count and CD4/CD8 ratio at week 48 were 95.59 cells/µL (95% confidence interval [CI], 28–163) and 0.32 (95% CI,.19 to.46). The most common drug-related adverse events were headache and nausea. One participant discontinued due to central nervous system symptoms. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions DTG plus 2 NRTIs is safe and effective as first-line treatment for PWHIV-2 with a tolerability profile previously known. No virological failures were observed that suggest a high potency of DTG in HIV-2 as occurs in HIV-1. Clinical Trials Registration M NCT 03224338. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To investigate mutations selected in viruses from HIV-2-infected patients failing a highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) regimen including atazanavir/ritonavir. Methods Twenty-eight HIV-2-infected patients previously exposed to atazanavir/ritonavir and failing therapy were studied. The protease (PR) gene was amplified and sequenced, and mutations emerging under atazanavir/ritonavir selective pressure were reported. Results The I50L mutation emerged in 4 out of 28 HIV-2-infected patients failing a HAART regimen including atazanavir/ritonavir. Besides I50L, four PR mutations previously associated with protease inhibitor resistance (I54L, I64V, V71I and I82F) and six PR mutations of unknown impact (V10I, E37D, S43T, K45R, I75V and F85L) in HIV-2 were also identified in this small group of patients. Conclusions Several mutations were associated with virological failure of a regimen including atazanavir/ritonavir in HIV-2-infected patients, including I50L for the first time. It should be included in HIV-2 algorithms for interpretation of genotypic resistance data, and taken into account when making therapeutic decisions for HIV-2-infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]