Subtype A1 Dominance and Genetic Insights of HIV-1 Among Infected Individuals in Punjab, Pakistan
| Author | Shamaila Habib | en |
| Author | Rabia Aslam | en |
| Author | Aisha Tahir | en |
| Author | Saba Khaliq | en |
| Author | Osheen Sajjad | en |
| Author | Saqib Mahmood | en |
| Author | Hasnain Javed | en |
| Orcid | Shamaila Habib [0009-0000-0872-4570] | en |
| Orcid | Rabia Aslam [0009-0003-0344-2998] | en |
| Orcid | Aisha Tahir [0000-0002-7792-7125] | en |
| Orcid | Saba Khaliq [0000-0002-0345-7394] | en |
| Orcid | Osheen Sajjad [0000-0003-1714-5698] | en |
| Orcid | Saqib Mahmood [0000-0003-2326-3025] | en |
| Orcid | Hasnain Javed [0000-0001-6877-6807] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-05-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an RNA virus with a highly variable genome, enabling rapid invasion of host cells by evading the host immune system. This variability complicates vaccination strategies and patient management. HIV-1 is classified into groups M, N, and O, and group M has a worldwide distribution. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes among HIV-infected individuals in Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: This cross-sectional molecular epidemiology study was conducted at the Punjab AIDS Control Program, Institute of Public Health, Lahore, from December 2018 to December 2020. A total of 100 HIV-1-positive patients aged 18 years or older, with available viral load and CD4 cell count data, were enrolled. Patients with a recent history of blood transfusion and those with HIV-2 infection were excluded. Subtype-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and agarose gel electrophoresis were used for initial subtype detection. Seven representative samples (6 subtype A and 1 subtype B) were selected for Sanger sequencing, followed by phylogenetic analysis using MEGA-XI software. The REGA HIV-1 Subtyping Tool was used for final subtype categorization. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded for descriptive analysis only. Results: Among the 100 participants, 42% were 20 - 30 years old; 51% were male, 26% were female, and 23% were transgender. A high viral load (> 100,001 copies/mL) was observed in 68% of participants, and 75% had CD4 cell counts < 500 cells/µL. Immunodeficiency was mild to moderate in 46% of participants and severe in 29%. Subtype A (A1) was predominant, followed by F1. Only 1 sample was classified as subtype B by subtype-specific PCR and agarose gel electrophoresis; however, this sample was reclassified as subtype F1 after Sanger sequencing and analysis with the REGA HIV-1 Subtyping Tool. MEGA-XI and phylogenetic analysis showed that A1 sequences clustered with previously reported Pakistani and East African reference sequences, whereas F1 was linked to Romanian strains, although it exhibited signature differences. Conclusions: HIV-1 subtype A1 remains the predominant subtype in Punjab, whereas F1 was identified in only 1 patient. The reclassification of 1 sample from subtype B to F1 after sequencing underscores the importance of sequence-based approaches for accurate HIV-1 subtype identification. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-171257 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/171257 | en |
| Keyword | Subtypes | en |
| Keyword | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | en |
| Keyword | Phylogenetic Analysis | en |
| Keyword | Nested PCR | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Subtype A1 Dominance and Genetic Insights of HIV-1 Among Infected Individuals in Punjab, Pakistan | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |