The effect of drug-injection behavior on genetic evolution of HIV-1.
The effect of injection-drug use on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) env genetic evolution was examined in 15 seroconverting injection-drug users followed up for 4 years. After adjustment for non-drug-related independent variables significantly associated with genetic diversity (time since seroconversion and progressor status), injection frequency was positively and highly significantly associated with HIV-1 env genetic diversity (P=.003). The mutation rate in those who had injected at least once a day during the previous 6 months was estimated to be 62% greater than the rate in those who had not injected at all. If the positive effect of drug-injection frequency on env genetic diversity extends to the HIV-1 pol gene, the risk of emergence of resistance to antiretroviral drugs may be enhanced by increased drug-injection frequency, especially under the selection pressure of antiretroviral therapy.
Carneiro
M
M
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Departamento de Parasitologia-Epidemiologia, Caixa Postal-486, Belo Horizonte, MG 31270-901, Brazil.
Yu
X F
XF
Lyles
C
C
Templeton
A
A
Weisstein
A E
AE
Safaeian
M
M
Farzadegan
H
H
Vlahov
D
D
Markham
R B
RB
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D015752:Genes, env; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000821:virology*; D013997:Time Factors
D015483:HIV Antibodies