title: HIV-1 Antiretroviral Drug Resistance in Pregnant Women in Jamaica: A Preliminary Report.
abstract: This preliminary report sought to provide insight into the genetic diversity of human immunodeficiency virus drug resistance (HIVDR) in Jamaica. This was done by investigating the genetic diversity associated with drug resistance in pregnant women living with HIV attending antenatal clinics in Kingston, Jamaica. Blood samples were collected and viral RNA were extracted and analysed. The protease and reverse transcriptase (Pro-RT) genes were amplified using the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Polymerase chain reaction amplicons were obtained for nine of 16 patients (56%), of which five (55%) were antiretroviral (ARV) drug naïve and four (45%) were treatment experienced. Three minor protease resistant-conferring mutations (A71AT, A71V, A71T) and five mutations conferring high to low-level resistance (K219EK, T69S, K103S, G190A and K103N) were detected in the RT region. More than 50% of the resistance mutations found were detected in ARV drug naïve individuals, implying that viruses are being transmitted with the ARV resistance. These preliminary results will inform the health practitioners of the level of drug resistance that is being transmitted as well as strengthen the need to initiate a national baseline survey on HIVDR in Jamaica.
authors: Biotechnology Centre, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.|Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica, West Indies. icolyn.amarakoon@uwimona.edu.jm.
authors: I I
authors: II
authors: Amarakoon
authors: Biotechnology Centre, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Ramkissoon
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pierre
authors: Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors: L M
authors: LM
authors: Eyzaguirre
authors: Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.|Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan, Alabama, USA.
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Carr
authors: Department of Child and Adolescent Health, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Blattner
authors: Biotechnology Centre, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica.
authors: M E
authors: ME
authors: Roye