Abstract:
Objective The serological testing of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is mandatory
under the blood safety legislation of Pakistan; hence, data exist on the prevalence
of HIV in blood donors. However, little is known about the molecular epidemiology
of HIV in the blood donor population. Therefore, the current study was designed to
study the genetic diversity of HIV-1 infection ina population of apparently healthy
treatment-naive blood donors in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Material and Methods A total of 85,736 blood donors were tested for HIV by the
chemiluminescence immunoassay. All positive donor samples were analyzed for the
presence of various HIV genotypes (types and subtypes). Viral ribonucleic acid was
extracted from blood samples of HIV positive donors and reverse transcribed into complementary
deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA). The cDNA ofall positive donors was then
analyzed for the presence of various HIV genotypes (types and subtypes) by employing
subtype-specific primers ina nested polymerase chain reaction. The amplified
products were runon ethidium bromide-stained 2% agarose gel and visualized usinga
ultraviolet transilluminator.A particular subtype was assigned toa sample if the subtype-
specific reaction madea band 20° highly intense compared with the band made
bythesubtype-independent reaction.
Results A total of 85,736 blood donors were screened forthe presence of antibodies
to HIV. Out of them, 114 were initially found reactive for HIV. The repeat testing resulted
in 112 (0.13%) positive donors, 95% confidence interval 0.0014 (0.0011—0.0018).
These 112 samples were analyzed for molecular typing of HIV-1. The predominant
HIV-1 subtype wasA (n —— 101) (90.1%) followed by subtypeB (n —— 11) (9.9%).
Conclusion These findings are key to understand the diversified HIV epidemic at the
molecular level and should assist public health workers in implementing measures to
lessen the further dissemination of these viruses in the country.
