Are subtype differences important in HIV drug resistance?

• Published in: Current opinion in virology Vol. 2; no. 5; pp. 636 - 643
• Main Authors: Lessells, RJ, Katzenstein, DK, de Oliveira, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.10.2012
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-HIV Agents - pharmacology; antiretroviral agents; Antiviral agents; Drug resistance; Drug Resistance, Viral; Genetic diversity; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1 - classification; HIV-1 - drug effects; HIV-1 - genetics; HIV-1 - physiology; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Humans; Infection; Reviews; Sampling; Species Specificity
• ISSN: 1879-6257; 1879-6265
• DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2012.08.006

► HIV-1 diversity has given rise to numerous subtypes and recombinant forms. ► New subtyping tools can accurately identify the most important HIV-1 variants. ► Public drug resistance databases are useful resources to trace the evolution of drug resistance in different subtypes. ► HIV-1 subtype genetic variation can influence the development of drug resistance and the susceptibility to certain antiretroviral drugs. ► Appreciation of subtype differences is important in the development of new drugs and in the formulation of antiretroviral strategies. The diversity of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has given rise to multiple subtypes and recombinant strains. The majority of research into antiretroviral agents and drug resistance has been performed on subtype B viruses, yet non-subtype B strains are responsible for 90% of global infections. Although it seems that combination antiretroviral regimens are effective against all HIV-1 subtypes, there is emerging evidence of subtype differences in drug resistance, relevant to antiretroviral strategies in different parts of the world. For this purpose, extensive sampling of HIV genetic diversity, curation and analyses are required to inform antiretroviral strategies in different parts of the world.