Antiretroviral resistance, genotypic characterization and origin of Human Immunodeficiency Virus among the infected wives of Intravenous drug users in Manipur

Cocaine sensitizes the CD4+ T cells for HIV infection by co-stimulating NFAT and AP-1

The productive infection of HIV, which generates new viral progeny, depends on the activation status of the cell. In this study, we found cocaine exposure sensitizes partially active CD4+ T cells and makes them poised for productive HIV infection. We discovered that cocaine treatment enhances the metabolic state of the cells by co-stimulating several transcription factors, mainly NFAT and AP-1, the two transcription factors, which specifically play a crucial role in enhancing both HIV and the overall cellular gene expression in T cells. We found that cocaine-induced AP-1 works in tandem with NFAT to boost HIV transcription. The enhanced HIV transcription upon cocaine exposure was further confirmed through higher phosphorylation of the crucial serine residues at the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II. The insights gained from this study could aid in developing highly specialized therapeutics combating the deleterious effects of cocaine on the cocaine-using HIV population.

Dynamic Dispersion of HIV-1 Subtype C Toward Brazilian Northeastern Region

The subtype C accounts for >50% of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infections worldwide and it is currently the predominant viral form in South Brazil. Subtype C has been reported in all Brazilian regions; however, the phylogenetic relationship among strains circulating in those regions still remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the origin and dynamic dispersion of HIV-1 subtype C toward Northeast Brazil. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that most subtype C strains circulating in Brazil (99%) are descendant from the main lineage whose entrance in the country was previously described in the 1970s. According to the literature, additional introductions of subtype C were reported in the country through the Southeast region and in this study we identified another entry event that occurred most likely through the North region. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that the spread of subtype C to Brazilian Northeastern states occurred through multiple independent introductions of the main lineage that originated in South Brazil between mid-1980s and late 1990s. Despite the observation of eventual new HIV-1 subtype C introductions, our results highlight the predominance of a single lineage of this subtype in Brazil and the importance of South region in its dissemination throughout the country.

HIV-1 Drug Resistance in ART-Naïve Individuals in Myanmar

Background

Estimating the prevalence and characterizing the transmission of HIV-1 drug resistance in treatment-naïve individuals are very important in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. As one of the areas most affected by HIV/AIDS, few data are currently available for HIV-1 drug resistance in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve individuals in Myanmar, which borders Yunnan, China.

Methods

HIV-1 pol sequences from ART-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals during 2008 and 2014 in Myanmar were retrieved from our previous studies. HIV-1 transmitted drug resistance (TDR) and susceptibility to antiretroviral drugs were predicted using the Stanford HIVdb program. HIV-1 transmission cluster (TC) was determined by Cluster Picker.

Results

A total of 169 partial pol sequences from ART-naïve HIV-1 positive Burmese were analyzed. The prevalence of TDR was 20.1%. CRF01_AE and BC recombinants appeared to have a higher prevalence of TDR than other subtypes. The V179D/T was found to be very common in the China–Myanmar border region and was involved in half of the transmission clusters formed by HIV-1 drug-resistance strains in this region. Comparison showed that drug-resistance mutation profile in Myanmar was very similar to that in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan. By further phylogenetic analysis with all available sequences from the China–Myanmar border region, four HIV-1 drug-resistance-related TCs were identified. Three of them were formed by Burmese long-distance truck drivers and the Burmese staying in Yunnan, and another was formed by Burmese injection drug users staying in Myanmar and Yunnan. These results suggest a potential transmission link of HIV-1 drug resistance between Myanmar and Yunnan.

Conclusion

Given the high prevalence of TDR in Myanmar, and the potential risk of cross-border transmission of HIV-1 drug-resistant strains between Myanmar and Yunnan, China, ongoing monitoring of HIV-1 drug resistance in ART-naïve individuals will provide a guideline for clinical antiretroviral treatment and benefit the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in this border region.

Understanding of HIV/AIDS in the international border area, Manipur: Northeast India

Manipur, an international border region has the highest incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection in India. Nevertheless, there have been no analytical reviews of research article published within this region. In this review, the authors aim to draw the attention of policy makers, medical practitioners and researchers in adopting new strategies to limit the expansion of HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) not only in Manipur but also in other international border areas. A systematic search for published literature in last decade was performed based on the keywords 'Manipur' and 'HIV' using the PubMed. Twenty-six articles were selected and reviewed. There were high incidence of drug resistance (53%), emergence of recombinant virus (32%) and increased incidence of co-infection with hepatitis C virus. The prime cause of the HIV is due to the uses of 'heroin' smuggled from the 'South Asia Golden Triangle' and complex patterns of cross-border movement for trade and commerce. The drug abuse, social stigma, geographical location and resource limitation and socio-political problem of the region have contributed strongly on spreading and failure of preventively programme of HIV/AIDS. This review will provide vital knowledge for the policy makers and clinicians for sentinel surveillance of AIDS pandemic in Manipur and other international border regions.