Characteristics of HIV-1 Natural Drug Resistance-Associated Mutations in Former Paid Blood Donors in Henan Province, China

BACKGROUND Natural drug resistance is a major cause of antiviral treatment failure. The characteristics of HIV-1 natural drug resistance-associated mutations in former paid blood donors in Henan Province remain unclear. METHODS One hundred and fifty HIV-1-positive plasma samples were collected. Plasma viral RNA was extracted for pol gene amplification and sequencing. The sequencing results were submitted to the HIV-1 drug resistance database for drug-resistance analysis. RESULTS The rates of natural drug resistance and resistance-associated mutations were 17.7% (19/107) and 40.2% (43/107), respectively. The rates of PI major, PI minor, NRTI, and NNRTI mutations were: 0, 30.8% (33/107), 10.3% (11/107), and 18.7% (20/107), respectively. Nine cases (8.4%) had both NRTI and NNRTI resistance-associated mutations. Seven cases (6.5%) had PI minor, NRTI and NNRTI resistance-associated mutations. NNRTI resistance was the most serious, followed by NRTI resistance and PI resistance. Polymorphism mutation sites with mutation rates in the protease region higher than 60.0% were: L63A/P/S/T 89.7%, V77I 82.2%, I72E/M/K/T/V 80.4%, I93L 75.7%, and E35D 72.9%. Polymorphism mutation sites with mutation rates in the RT region higher than 60.0% were: I135A/L/M/R/T/V 93.5%, T200A/E/I/P/V 89.7%, Q278E/K/N/T 88.8%, S162C/Y 82.2%, and K277R/S 66.4%. The distribution of 107 gene sequences was scattered, with some drug-resistant strains grouped in the same cluster. CONCLUSION The natural drug resistance mutation rate of HIV-1 in former paid blood donors in Henan Province was 17.7%, with NNRTI resistance the most serious. The distribution of drug-resistant strains was scattered, with some correlations found in certain resistance loci.