title: HIV-1 progression links with viral genetic variability and subtype, and patient's HLA type: analysis of a Nairobi-Kenyan cohort.
abstract: In a Nairobi-Kenyan cohort of 50 HIV-1 positive patients, we analysed the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. From this cohort, 33 patients were selected for the analysis of HIV-1 infection progression markers (i.e. CD4 cell counts and viral loads) and their association with HIV-1 genetic variability and subtype, and patient's HLA type. HIV-1 gag genetic variability, analysed using bioinformatics tools, showed an inverse relationship with CD4 cell count whereas with viral load that relationship was direct. Certain HLA types and viral subtypes were also found to associate with patients' viral load. Associations between disease parameters and the genetic makeup of the host and virus may be crucial in determining the outcome of HIV-1 infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Hani
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Abidi
authors.forename: Aniqa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shahid
authors.forename: Laila S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Lakhani
authors.forename: Reena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Okinda
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ojwang
authors.forename: Farhat
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abbas
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rowland-Jones
authors.forename: Syed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D015415:Biomarkers; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D015750:Genes, gag; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics*; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006680:HLA Antigens