HIV-1 genetic diversity and transmitted drug resistance to integrase strand transfer inhibitors among recently diagnosed adults in Porto Alegre, South Brazil.

Objectives: The HIV-1 genetic diversity and the presence of transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDRMs) against integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) were assessed sequencing samples of antiretroviral (ARV)-naive HIV-1-infected individuals from South Brazil.

Methods: Viral RNA from 42 ART-naive individuals was submitted to complete HIV-1 integrase gene amplification by RT-PCR and sequencing.

Results: Viral strains carrying TDRMs against INSTIs were not detected in the present study.

The influence of HIV-1 subtypes C, CRF31_BC and B on disease progression and initial virologic response to HAART in a Southern Brazilian cohort.

Background: Although most HIV-1 infections in Brazil are due to subtype B, Southern Brazil has a high prevalence of subtype C and recombinant forms, such as CRF31_BC. This study assessed the impact of viral diversity on clinical progression in a cohort of newly diagnosed HIV-positive patients.

Methods: From July/2004 to December/2005, 135 HIV-infected patients were recruited.

High prevalence and association of HIV-1 non-B subtype with specific sexual transmission risk among antiretroviral naïve patients in Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.

In South Brazil the circulation of two HIV-1 subtypes with different characteristics represents an important scenario for the study of the impact of HIV-1 diversity on the evolution of the HIV-1 epidemic and AIDS disease. HIV-1 B, the predominant variant in industrialized countries and HIV-1 C, the most prevalent subtype in areas with rapid epidemic growth, are implicated in most infections. We evaluated blood samples from 128 antiretroviral (ARV) naïve patients recruited at entry to the largest HIV outpatient service in Porto Alegre.

Metabolic changes associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients.

Objective: To evaluate metabolic changes associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-positive patients, and to identify risk factors associated.

Methods: Retrospective study that included 110 HIV-positive patients who where on HAART in the city of Porto Alegre (Southern Brazil) between January 2003 and March 2004. Data on demographic variables, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, stage of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy and HCV coinfection were collected.

HIV type 1 subtype C and CB Pol recombinants prevail at the cities with the highest AIDS prevalence rate in Brazil.

HIV-1 B is predominant in Brazil, but HIV-1 C has increasingly been reported in the south of the country. However, many samples clustering with clade C are actually a recombinant, with a small B segment at RT (CRF31). Samples (209) from the three cities with the highest aids prevalence rate are analyzed.