HIV drug resistance among patients experiencing antiretroviral therapy failure in Russia, 2019-2021.

Increasing HIV drug resistance is an important public health concern. The current study aimed to assess HIV drug resistance among people who live with HIV (PLWH) experiencing virological failure. Blood samples and epidemiological characteristics were collected in four Siberian regions from PLWH experiencing ART failure.

Patterns of HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV-infected patients receiving first-line antiretroviral therapy in Novosibirsk Region, Russia.

Objectives: Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs have played a vital role in controlling the HIV-1 epidemic; however, some challenges remain. ARV drugs vary in their ability to control HIV infection, displaying differences in treatment-limiting factors and genetic barriers to resistance. The current report assesses the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs) among patients who failed first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) and evaluates the genetic barrier of different regimens.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of HIV-1 CRF63_02A6 sub-epidemic.

HIV-1 epidemic in Russia is one of the fastest growing in the world reaching 1.14 million people living with HIV-1 (PLWH) in 2021. Since mid-1990s, the HIV-1 epidemic in Russia has started to grow substantially due to the multiple HIV-1 outbreaks among persons who inject drugs (PWID) leading to expansion of the HIV-1 sub-subtype A6 (former Soviet Union (FSU) subtype A).

Characterization of HIV-1 Epidemic in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan has one of the highest rates of HIV-1 spread in Central Asia. In this study, we used molecular-epidemiological approaches to examine the HIV-1 epidemic in Kyrgyzstan. Samples were obtained from HIV-positive individuals who visited HIV/AIDS clinics.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Drug Resistance, Phylogenetic Analysis, and Superinfection Among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 075 Study.

Background: The HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 075 study evaluated the feasibility of enrolling and retaining men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) from Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa. During the study follow-up, 21 participants acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (seroconverters). We analyzed HIV subtype diversity, drug resistance, transmission dynamics, and HIV superinfection data among MSM and TGW enrolled in HPTN 075.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus from People Who Inject Drugs in Indonesia, Ukraine, and Vietnam: HPTN 074.

Background: HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 074 evaluated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention interventions for people who inject drugs (PWID) in Indonesia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Study interventions included support for HIV infection and substance use treatment. The study enrolled index participants living with HIV and injection partners who were not living with HIV.

HIV drug resistance in a cohort of HIV-infected MSM in the United States.

Objective: To analyze HIV drug resistance among MSM recruited for participation in the HPTN 078 study, which evaluated methods for achieving and maintaining viral suppression in HIV-infected MSM.

Methods: Individuals were recruited at four study sites in the United States (Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Birmingham, Alabama; and Boston, Massachusetts; 2016-2017). HIV genotyping was performed using samples collected at study screening or enrollment.

Comprehensive Profiling of HIV Antibody Evolution.

This study evaluates HIV antibody responses and their evolution during the course of HIV infection. A phage display system is used to characterize antibody binding to >3,300 HIV peptides in 57 adults with early- to late-stage infection. We find that the number of unique epitopes targeted ("antibody breadth") increases early in infection and then stabilizes or declines.

Characteristics Associated With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission Networks Involving Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevention Trials Network 068 Study.

We combined behavioral survey data from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Prevention Trials Network 068 study with phylogenetic information to determine if cluster membership was associated with characteristics of young women and their partners. Clusters were more likely to involve young women from specific villages and schools, indicating some localized transmission.Supplemental digital content is available in the text.

Antiretroviral Drug Use and HIV Drug Resistance Among Young Women in Rural South Africa: HPTN 068.

Background: Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are used for HIV treatment and prevention. We analyzed ARV drug use and HIV drug resistance in a cohort of young women in rural South Africa enrolled in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 068 study, which evaluated the use of a cash transfer conditional on school attendance to reduce HIV incidence.

Methods: ARV drug testing was performed using plasma samples from 2526 young women.

HIV-1 diversity among young women in rural South Africa: HPTN 068.

Background: South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV-1 (HIV) infection world-wide, with the highest rates among young women. We analyzed the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary history of HIV in young women attending high school in rural South Africa.

Methods: Samples were obtained from the HPTN 068 randomized controlled trial, which evaluated the effect of cash transfers for school attendance on HIV incidence in women aged 13-20 years (Mpumalanga province, 2011-2015).

Performance of the BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay for identifying acute HIV infection.

Background: Assays that detect HIV antigen (Ag) and antibody (Ab) can be used to screen for HIV infection.

Objectives: To compare the performance of the BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay and two other Ag/Ab combination assays for detection of acute HIV infection.

Study Design: Samples were obtained from 24 individuals (18 from the US, 6 from South Africa); these individuals were classified as having acute infection based on the following criteria: positive qualitative RNA assay; two negative rapid tests; negative discriminatory test.

Characterization of HIV Seroconverters in a TDF/FTC PrEP Study: HPTN 067/ADAPT.

Background: HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 067/ADAPT evaluated tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in women (South Africa) and men who have sex with men (Thailand, US). Participants received once-weekly directly observed therapy (DOT) of TDF/FTC, and were then randomized to daily, time-driven, or event-driven PrEP. This report describes characterization of 12 HIV seroconversion events in this trial.

Complete Genome Sequence of a Newcastle Disease Virus Isolated from a Rock Dove (Columba livia) in the Russian Federation.

We report here the complete genome sequence of a Newcastle disease virus (NDV) isolate, NDV/Altai/pigeon/770/2011, isolated from a rock dove in the Russian Federation. On the basis of phylogenetic analysis, this strain was clustered into genotype VIb class II.

Avian Influenza Virus with Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Combination H8N8, Isolated in Russia.

We report the genome sequence of an avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype H8N8, isolated in Russia. The genome analysis shows that all genes belong to AIV Eurasian lineages. The PB2 gene was similar to a Mongolian low-pathogenic (LP) AIV H7N1 and a Chinese high-pathogenic (HP) AIV H5N2.

Influenza A (H15N4) virus isolation in Western Siberia, Russia.

The rarely identified influenza A viruses of the H15 hemagglutinin subtype have been isolated exclusively in Australia. Here we report the isolation of an H15N4 influenza A virus (A/teal/Chany/7119/2008) in Western Siberia, Russia. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the internal genes of the A/teal/Chany/7119/2008 strain belong to the Eurasian clade and that the H15 and N4 genes were introduced into the gene pool of circulating endemic avian influenza viruses through reassortment events.

Surveillance of influenza A virus in wild birds in the Asian portion of Russia in 2008.

Wild waterfowl undertake a variety of long-distance flights during their migration. These flights provide birds with the opportunities to both acquire and disseminate avian influenza viruses (AIVs). The Asian portion of Russia is crossed by four major migration routes and represents the major breeding area for many wild bird species in the Palearctic.