Genetic Diversity in the Capsid Protein-Coding Region of HIV-1 Circulating in Benguela, Angola: Implications for Primary Resistance to the Novel Capsid Inhibitor Lenacapavir.

ABSTRACT: In 2023, the HIV-1 pandemic claimed around 630,000 lives worldwide due to AIDS-related complications. Its burden is significantly heavier in Sub-Saharan Africa, where an increased HIV-1 genetic diversity is common, which increases the risk of resistance to antiretroviral (ARV) drugs. This study aims to update the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Angola, focusing specifically on the gag gene, which is often overlooked, and to assess the potential viability of lenacapavir (LEN)-based ARV therapy in the region. A total of 243 blood samples were collected from ARV-naïve, HIV-infected patients at the General Hospital of Benguela, city of Benguela, Angola. The capsid-encoding region of HIV-1 proviral DNA was amplified by PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the m

SUBMITTER: Queiros G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12116093 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature