MOLECULAR GENETIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HIV-1 VARIANTS ISOLATED IN THE SUBJECTS OF THE RUSSIAN FAR EAST

Abstract

Introduction. Molecular-genetic monitoring of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug-resistant strains circulation as well as analysis of territorial peculiarities of different genetic variants prevalence of the virus is a crucial part of epidemiological surveillance over HIV-infection spread. Objective of the research - to analyze the prevalence of HIV-1 genetic variants among HIV-positive people living in different constituent entities of the Far Eastern Federal District. Material and methods. Molecular-genetic analysis of the Pol-gene that is coding protease and a part of reverse transcriptase of HIV-1 was performed for a total number of 206 blood plasma samples. The biological material was collected from HIV-positive people living in Sakhalin, Magadan and Amur regions, Jewish Autonomous District, Khabarovsk region, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) and Chukotka Autonomous Region (constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the Russian Far East). Results. The research demonstrated that HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 continues to be dominant and comprises 72.1±3.1% of all isolated subtypes in the regions of the Russian Far East. HIV-1 subtype B was identified in 14 cases (6.8±1.8%) and subtype C in 4 cases (1.9±1.0%). Spectrum of HIV-1 recombinant forms was determined for some regions. We identified five types of HIV-1 circulating recombinant forms (CRF): CRF03_AB - 2 (0.9±0.7%), CRF02_AG - 8 (3.9±1.3%), CRF63_02A1 - 27 (13.1±2.4%), CRF11_cpx - 1 (0.5±0.5%), CRF01_AE - 3 (1.5±0.8%). High heterogeneity of the virus was registered in the Jewish Autonomous District. Discussion. The conducted research revealed genetic differences in the landscape of HIV-1 subtypes circulation as well as differences in HIV-1 recombinant forms distribution frequency in the Russian Far East. Current findings are due to expansion of migration flows that promote cross-border importation and further spread of different HIV-1 genetic variants among population of the Far Eastern Federal District. Conclusion. The conducted research revealed that the molecular-genetic monitoring of HIV-1 genovariants should involve not only regions with high HIV-abundance but also with low HIV-prevalence and incidence.