HIV-1 progression links with viral genetic variability and subtype, and patient’s HLA type: analysis of a Nairobi-Kenyan cohort

• DOI: 10.1007/s00430-013-0314-1
• Publication Date: 2013-10-19T05:45:46Z
• Authors: Syed Hani Abidi; Aniqa Shahid; Laila S. Lakhani; Reena Shah; Nancy Okinda; Peter Ojwang; Farhat Abbas; Sarah Rowland-Jones; Syed Ali
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Genotype; Urology; Subtype; HIV Infections; Progression markers; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Gene Frequency; HLA Antigens; Allergy and Immunology; Internal Medicine; Pathology; Humans; Alleles; HIV; Genetic Variation; Middle Aged; Viral Load; Kenya; Genes, gag; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; 3. Good health; HLA; Disease Progression; HIV-1; Surgery; Genetic variability; Female; Biomarkers

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.