Detection of multiple drug-resistance-associated pol mutations in cervicovaginal secretions from women largely treated with antiretroviral agents

• Published in: AIDS (London) Vol. 13; no. 8; pp. 992 - 994
• Main Authors: DI STEFANO, M, FIORE, J. R, MONNO, L, LEPERA, A, PASTORE, G, ANGARANO, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 28.05.1999
• Subjects: AIDS/HIV; Anti-HIV Agents - pharmacology; Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antiviral agents; Biological and medical sciences; Cervix Uteri - virology; Drug Resistance, Microbial - genetics; Drug Resistance, Multiple - genetics; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Genes, pol; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - virology; HIV Protease - genetics; HIV Reverse Transcriptase - genetics; HIV-1 - drug effects; HIV-1 - genetics; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Humans; Medical sciences; Mutation; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Retrovirus; Vagina - virology; Human; Immunopathology; Secretion; Genetic variant; AIDS; Vaginal fluid; Immune deficiency; Infection; Chemotherapy; Microbiological investigation; Treatment; Viral disease; Multiple resistance; Female genital system; Antiviral; Female; Mutation; Negative therapeutic reaction
• ISSN: 0269-9370; 1473-5571
• DOI: 10.1097/00002030-199905280-00018

The prolonged use of antiretroviral agents almost invariably leads to the emergence of HIV-1-resistant variants [1]. It has previously been demonstrated that HIV-1 variants resistant to zidovudine are shed in semen and can be transmitted through sexual contact. Viral variants carrying mutations correlated to resistance to several reverse transcriptase inhibitors were also detected in semen [2,3]. In addition, one case of male-to-male sexual transmission of an HIV-1 variant with multiple mutations conferring resistance to both reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors has been reported [4]. Although mutant HIVs have been detected in seminal fluid, to our knowledge, the presence of HIV variants with multiple drug-resistant mutations in the female genital tract has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of HIV-1 variants with multiple mutations associated with resistance to both reverse transcriptase and protease inhibitors in the genital secretions of women treated with antiretroviral drugs.