Genetic Diversity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus TypeJ in Asymptomatic Blood Donors in Islamabad, Pakistan

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.