Determination of reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance mutations in HIV-1 infected children in Cote d'Ivoire

Treatment scale-up is leading to a progressive increase in HIV resistance to antiretrovirals, especially in children. To assess resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs) in HIV-1 infected children in Cote d'Ivoire, genotypic resistance tests were performed and interpreted using the ANRS algorithm (www.hivfrenchresistance. org ). Phylogenetic trees were created using BioEdit v7 and Mega7 software. The frequency of resistance to at least one RTI was 79%. It was 88% for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), 71% for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), and 63% for both classes (NRTI + NNRTI). The frequency of resistance was 50% for the ZDV + 3TC + EFV combination, 42% for the ABC + 3TC + EFV combination, and 8% for the TDF + 3TC + EFV combination. Frequently encountered resistance mutations were for NRTIs: M184V (88%), TAMs (67%), T215F/I/V/Y (33%), and L74I/V (24%); for NNRTI5: K103N/S (74%), P225H (26%), and G190A/E/Q(24%). The synthesis of phylogenetic analyses showed the predominance of the viral subtype CRF02_AG (85%). These results show a high prevalence of resistance to RTIs in children infected with HIV-1. Hence the interest of a more accessible monitoring of viral load and genotypic resistance tests in HIV-1 infected children undergoing treatment in Cote d'Ivoire.

Automated summary

The study conducted in Cote d'Ivoire on HIV-1 infected children revealed a widespread resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors (RTIs), especially nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). The high frequency of resistance mutations and the predominance of viral subtype CRF02_AG were observed, highlighting the importance of accessible monitoring of viral load and genotypic resistance tests in HIV-1 infected children undergoing treatment.