Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
7.3
3.8
Journals
Viruses
Special Issues
The Challenge of HIV Diversity
share announcement

The Challenge of HIV Diversity

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Viral Immunology, Vaccines, and Antivirals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2025) | Viewed by 4684

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Brian T. Foley

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
HIV Genetic Sequence and Immunology Databases, Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, Los Alamos National Lab, Los Alamos, NM, USA
Interests: HIV evolution; viral epidemiology; phylogenetic analyses; genetic recombination; viral taxonomy and nomenclature; HIV genotyping; HIV pathogenesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Viruses invites the submission of original research and review articles to this Special Issue, covering challenges in HIV diversity. The articles can cover any level of diversity, from intrapatient immune evasion and development of drug resistance, to global challenges for vaccine design. Reports of research on HIV recombination at all levels, from intrapatient to inter-subtype, are encouraged. Although HIV-1 M-group viruses comprise the majority of global AIDS cases, submissions if research on other immunodeficiency viruses is also encouraged. Topics of interest can include challenges in methods (challenges of amplifying and sequencing viral genomes, for example) and computation (challenges with multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic analyses, recombination detection, etc.). Analyses of trends in drug resistance, immune evasion or epidemiology are well suited for this Special Issue. Although submissions should focus on immunodeficiency viruses, comparisons or contrasts to other viruses can be illuminating and useful.

Dr. Brian T. Foley
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • HIV diversity
  • immune evasion
  • drug resistance
  • vaccine design
  • HIV recombination
  • immunodeficiency viruses
  • epidemiology analysis

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 2300 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity and Antiretroviral Resistance in HIV-1-Infected Patients Newly Diagnosed in Cabo Verde
by Silvânia Da Veiga Leal, Victor Pimentel, Paloma Gonçalves, Isabel Inês Monteiro de Pina Araújo, Ricardo Parreira, Nuno Taveira, Marta Pingarilho and Ana B. Abecasis
Viruses 2024, 16(12), 1953; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16121953 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1135
Abstract
The high genetic variability of HIV-1 and the emergence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) can impact treatment efficacy. In this study, we investigated the prevalent HIV-1 genotypes and drug-resistance-associated mutations in drug-naïve HIV-1 individuals in Cabo Verde. The study, conducted between 2018 and [...] Read more.
The high genetic variability of HIV-1 and the emergence of transmitted drug resistance (TDR) can impact treatment efficacy. In this study, we investigated the prevalent HIV-1 genotypes and drug-resistance-associated mutations in drug-naïve HIV-1 individuals in Cabo Verde. The study, conducted between 2018 and 2019, included drug-naïve HIV-1 individuals from the São Vicente, Boa Vista, Fogo, and Santiago islands. The HIV-1 pol gene was sequenced using Sanger sequencing. TDR was identified using the Stanford Calibrated Population Resistance tool, and resistance levels to different drugs were interpreted with the Stanford HIV database. The genetic diversity of HIV-1 was determined through phylogenetic analysis, and epidemiological and behavioural data were collected via questionnaires. Of the 73 participants, the majority were male (52.1%). The CRF02_AG recombinant form predominated (41.1%), followed by subtype G (37.0%). The overall prevalence of TDR was 9.6%. Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI) mutations occurred in 2.7% of individuals, while Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI) mutations occurred in 9.6%. The most prevalent mutations were K103N (5.5%) and M184V (2.7%). No protease- or integrase-associated mutations were found. The high levels of resistance to NNRTIs found demonstrate the need for surveillance of resistance mutations to ensure the efficacy and durability of the current therapeutic regimen, which includes Dolutegravir. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Challenge of HIV Diversity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 2568 KiB  
Article
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Genetic Diversity and Drugs Resistance Mutations among People Living with HIV in Karachi, Pakistan
by Abdur Rashid, Li Kang, Feng Yi, Qingfei Chu, Sharaf Ali Shah, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Yimam Getaneh, Min Wei, Song Chang, Syed Hani Abidi and Yiming Shao
Viruses 2024, 16(6), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16060962 - 14 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1755
Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 epidemic in Pakistan has significantly increased over the last two decades. In Karachi, Pakistan, there is a lack of updated information on the complexity of HIV-1 genetic diversity and the burden of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) that can [...] Read more.
The human immunodeficiency virus type-1 epidemic in Pakistan has significantly increased over the last two decades. In Karachi, Pakistan, there is a lack of updated information on the complexity of HIV-1 genetic diversity and the burden of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) that can contribute to ART failure and poor treatment outcomes. This study aimed to determine HIV-1 genetic diversity and identify drug-resistance mutations among people living with HIV in Karachi. A total of 364 HIV-positive individuals, with a median age of 36 years, were enrolled in the study. The HIV-1 partial pol gene was successfully sequenced from 268 individuals. The sequences were used to generate phylogenetic trees to determine clade diversity and also to assess the burden of DRMs. Based on the partial pol sequences, 13 distinct HIV-1 subtypes and recombinant forms were identified. Subtype A1 was the most common clade (40%), followed by CRF02_AG (33.2%). Acquired DRMs were found in 30.6% of the ART-experienced patients, of whom 70.7%, 20.7%, and 8.5% were associated with resistance to NNRTIs, NRTIs, and PIs, respectively. Transmitted DRMs were found in 5.6% of the ART-naïve patients, of whom 93% were associated with resistance against NNRTIs and 7% to PIs. The high prevalence of DRMs in ART-experienced patients poses significant challenges to the long-term benefits and sustainability of the ART program. This study emphasizes the importance of continuous HIV molecular epidemiology and drug resistance surveillance to support evidence-based HIV prevention, precise ART, and targeted AIDS care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Challenge of HIV Diversity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 2192 KiB  
Review
Challenges in Elucidating HIV-1 Genetic Diversity in the Middle East and North Africa: A Review Based on a Systematic Search
by Malik Sallam, Arwa Omar Al-Khatib, Tarneem Sabra, Saja Al-Baidhani, Kholoud Al-Mahzoum, Maryam A. Aleigailly and Mohammed Sallam
Viruses 2025, 17(3), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17030336 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 515
Abstract
The extensive genetic diversity of HIV-1 represents a major challenge to public health interventions, treatment, and successful vaccine design. This challenge is particularly pronounced in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where limited data among other barriers preclude the accurate characterization [...] Read more.
The extensive genetic diversity of HIV-1 represents a major challenge to public health interventions, treatment, and successful vaccine design. This challenge is particularly pronounced in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, where limited data among other barriers preclude the accurate characterization of HIV-1 genetic diversity. The objective of this review was to analyze studies conducted in the MENA region to delineate possible barriers that would hinder the accurate depiction of HIV-1 genetic diversity in this region. A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar was conducted for published records on HIV-1 genetic diversity in the English language up until 1 October 2024 across 18 MENA countries. The pre-defined themes of challenges/barriers included limited sampling, data gaps, resource and infrastructure constraints, HIV-1-specific factors, and socio-cultural barriers. A total of 38 records were included in the final review, comprising original articles (55.3%), reviews (21.1%), and sequence notes (10.5%). Libya (15.8%), Morocco (13.2%), Saudi Arabia, and MENA as a whole (10.5% for each) were the primary sources of the included records. Of the 23 records with original MENA HIV-1 sequences, the median number of sequences was 46 (range: 6–193). The identified barriers included the following: (1) low sampling density; (2) limited clinical data (21.7% with no data, 60.9% partial data, and 17.4% with full data); (3) reliance solely on population sequencing and insufficient use of advanced sequencing technologies; (4) lack of comprehensive recombination analysis; and (5) socio-cultural barriers, including stigma with subsequent under-reporting among at-risk groups. The barriers identified in this review can hinder the ability to map the genetic diversity of HIV-1 in the MENA. Poor characterization of HIV-1’s genetic diversity in the MENA would hinder efforts to optimize prevention strategies, monitor drug resistance, and develop MENA-specific treatment protocols. To overcome these challenges, investment in public health/research infrastructure, policy reforms to reduce stigma, and strengthened regional collaboration are recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Challenge of HIV Diversity)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop