Correspondence

HIV-1 integrase polymorphisms are associated with prior antiretroviral drug exposure

Sebastiaan J van Hal¹ , Belinda Herring¹ , Zaquan Deris^1,3 , Bin Wang² , Nitin K Saksena² and Dominic E Dwyer¹

¹  Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, ICPMR Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia

²  Retroviral Genetics Division, Centre for Virus Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, Westmead 2145, NSW, Australia

³  Universiti Sains Malaysia, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia

author email corresponding author email

Retrovirology 2009, 6:12doi:10.1186/1742-4690-6-12

Published:	9 February 2009

Abstract

In a recent summary of integrase sequences, primary integrase inhibitor mutations were rare. In a review of integrase inhibitor-naïve Australian HIV-1 sequences, primary mutations were not identified, although the accessory mutation G140S was detected. A link with previous antiretroviral therapy, intra-subtype B divergence across the integrase gene and transmission of integrase polymorphisms were also noted. Based on these findings, we would recommend ongoing surveillance of integrase mutations, and integrase region sequencing for patients prior to commencement of integrase inhibitors.