survey of human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease gene drug resistance among hiv-infected patients in an iranian research center for hiv/aids

objective: the use of antiretroviral drugs has proven remarkably effective in controlling the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) disease, but these benefits can be compromised by the development of drug resistance. this study aims to assess the drug resistance profile of the pr gene in highly active antiretroviral therapy (haart)-treated and naïve hiv-1 infected patients. methods: a total of 30 samples from naïve and 16 samples of highly active antiretroviral therapy (haart)-treated patients were collected and divided into two groups. after rna extraction, rt nested pcr was performed. the final products were sequenced and then analyzed for drug-resistant mutations and subtypes. results: no drug resistant mutations were noted in group one that have never used drug, but 40% of group two samples which are under treatment contained drug resistant mutations. according to the results, the following subtypes were seen among patients: a (50%), b (40.6%), d (6.2%), and c (3.2%). conclusion: transmission of drug-resistant viruses and their detection are very important epidemiologically. however our data and other studies suggest that other pis should be replaced by lpv in the haart regime.