Phylogenetic Analysis of HIV in East Africa Cross-Border Areas Final Report

The study aimed to identify transmission clusters and understand the characteristics of individuals with ART resistance mutations. The study selected 14 cross-border sites in East Africa, where researchers approached individuals at public spots and offered them a bio-behavioral survey and HIV test. A total of 125 people living with unsupervised HIV were identified, and their characteristics were analyzed. The study found that 52 individuals were part of possible transmission clusters, with 18 clusters identified across the study sites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of the sequences belonged to the CRF02_AG and CRF10_CD4_TPA lineages. The study also found that individuals with ART resistance mutations were more likely to be male, have a history of incarceration, and engage in high-risk behaviors. The prevalence of ART resistance mutations was highest among individuals with a history of ART use. The study used oligonucleotide ligation assay to detect single drug resistance mutations (SDRMs) among the study participants. The results showed that 18 participants had SDRMs detected, with the most common mutations being K103N and M184V. The prevalence of SDRMs was highest among individuals with a history of ART use and those who had previously experienced virologic failure. The study's findings have significant implications for HIV prevention and treatment in East Africa. The identification of transmission clusters and ART resistance mutations highlights the need for targeted interventions to reduce the transmission of drug-resistant HIV strains. The study's results also emphasize the importance of monitoring ART resistance and implementing effective treatment strategies to prevent the development of resistance. The study's methodology involved a combination of phylogenetic analysis and oligonucleotide ligation assay to detect SDRMs. The researchers used Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis by Sampling Trees (BEAST) to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree of the study participants. The study's results were also validated using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations. The study's findings have been published in a report titled "Phylogenetic Analysis of HIV in East Africa Cross-Border Areas Final Report." The report provides a comprehensive overview of the study's methodology, results, and implications for HIV prevention and treatment in East Africa.