No transmitted drug resistance to HIV integrase strand-transfer inhibitors after their scale-up in Estonia in 2017.

Objectives: In Eastern Europe, HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance (TDR) data, especially in the integrase (IN) region, are limited. In Estonia, INSTI (integrase strand transfer inhibitors) TDR has been studied only prior to the INSTI scale-up in late 2010s. The current study aimed to determine the levels of protease (PR), reverse transcriptase (RT) and IN surveillance drug resistance mutations (SDRMs) among newly diagnosed patients in Estonia in 2017.

Stable level of HIV transmitted drug resistance in Estonia despite significant scale-up of antiretroviral therapy.

Background: Due to the widespread use of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) as part of first-line therapies to curb the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in Eastern-European countries, transmitted drug resistance (TDR) is of serious concern in this region. Therefore, TDR and its associated risk factors were investigated among newly diagnosed HIV-1 subjects in Estonia.

Methods: This nationwide observational study included all newly diagnosed HIV-1 subjects from January 1 until December 31, 2013.