title: V118I substitution in the reverse transcriptase gene of HIV type 1 CRF02_AG strains infecting drug-naive individuals in Cameroon.
abstract: We describe the resistance-associated substitutions that are present in the reverse transcriptase (RT) genes of HIV-1 CRF02_AG strains infecting drug-naive villagers of Cameroon. The 11 sequences analyzed were previously subtyped as CRF02_AG in the gag, pro, and env genes, and this work revealed that most (10/11) had a concordant subtype (CRF02_AG) in the pol gene, while one sequence had discordant subtype (A1) in the pol gene. Classification of the CRF02_AG sequences was further confirmed by recombination breakpoint analysis, which revealed a mosaic composition similar to the reference strain IbNG. Analysis of the RT genes for resistance-associated substitutions revealed two sequences containing a V118I substitution. Even though no other resistance-associated substitutions were found, the presence of V118I, which is implicated in resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors, in CRF02_AG strains infecting drug-naive individuals should be considered when introducing these antiretrovirals in areas where CRF02_AG is the predominant subtype, such as Cameroon.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, 10010, USA.
authors.forename: Frank A J
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Konings
authors.forename: Phillipe N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Nyambi
mesh_terms: D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002163:Cameroon; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000821:virology*; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009154:Mutation; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017385:Sequence Homology
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D054303:HIV Reverse Transcriptase