A Synthetic HIV-1 Subtype C Backbone Generates Comparable PR and RT Resistance Profiles to a Subtype B Backbone in a Recombinant Virus Assay
2011

Comparing HIV-1 Subtype C and B Resistance Profiles

Sample size: 8 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Nauwelaers David, Van Houtte Margriet, Winters Bart, Steegen Kim, Van Baelen Kurt, Chi Ellen, Zhou Mimi, Steiner Derek, Bonesteel Rachelle, Aston Colin, Stuyver Lieven J.

Primary Institution: Virco BVBA, Beerse, Belgium

Hypothesis

Can the drug resistance profile of an HIV-1 subtype C GPRT amplicon be accurately assessed when introduced into an HIV-1 subtype B backbone?

Conclusion

The study found that the resistance profiles of HIV-1 subtype C and B were similar for most drugs tested, despite differences in viral kinetics.

Supporting Evidence

  • Functional, infectious HIV-1 subtype C viruses were generated.
  • The rate of infection for subtype C viruses was slower than for subtype B.
  • Drug resistance profiles were similar in both subtype backbones.
  • Some differences in drug resistance were statistically significant.

Takeaway

Researchers created a synthetic version of HIV-1 subtype C to see how it responds to drugs compared to subtype B, and they found that both types behave similarly in terms of drug resistance.

Methodology

The study involved constructing an HIV-1 subtype C backbone, generating recombinant viruses, and comparing their drug resistance profiles to those of subtype B.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the involvement of employees from companies that commercialize HIV drug resistance testing technology.

Limitations

The study was limited by the small number of samples tested and the focus on specific drug classes.

Participant Demographics

Eight HIV-1 clinical plasma samples from patients infected with subtype C.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.031, 0.043, 0.033, 0.0041, 0.002

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0019643

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication