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AbstractWe analyzed the HIV-1 polgene from patients in Cape Town to determine the genetic diversity of HIV-1 in the region and to assess the baseline HIV-1 resistance level of treatment-naive patients. Plasma was collected prior to the national antiretroviral therapy (ART) program. RNA was extracted, followed by RT-PCR and automated DNA sequencing of the viral protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) coding region. Genotyping was done through phylogenetic analysis. The sequences were inspected for resistance-associated mutations against PR and RT inhibitors. A total of 140 polsequences were analyzed, of which 133 (95) belong to HIV-1 subtype C, five (3.6) were subtype B, and one each was subtype G and CRF02_AG. Five sequences (3.6) had resistance-associated mutations. These include three (2.1) NNRTI mutations. With the progression of the national ART program, it is important to monitor the resistance profile of naive and treatment-experienced patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSouth Africa has the highest number of HIV-1-infected individuals in the world, with HIV-1 subtype C prevailing. However, HIV-1 subtype C accessory genes are rarely characterized in the country. These genes are important for establishing viral pathogenesis. The Vif protein has been shown to counteract the antiretroviral activity of APOBEC3G/F cytidine deaminases. In this study an additional 50 HIV-1 vifsequences are characterized. These include 48 HIV-1 subtype C and 2 HIV-1 subtype B sequences. Highly conserved HIV-1 subtype C motifs are outlined. The previously identified RLRR (90–93) motif does not seem to be conserved among our newly analyzed sequences. Conserved motifs can be useful for developing new vaccine strategies or antiretroviral drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]