RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Nii-Trebi, Nicholas Israel A1 Brandful, James Ashun Mensah A1 Ibe, Shiro A1 Sugiura, Wataru A1 Barnor, Jacob Samson A1 Bampoh, Patrick Owiredu A1 Yamaoka, Shoji A1 Matano, Tetsuro A1 Yoshimura, Kazuhisa A1 Ishikawa, Koichi A1 Ampofo, William KwabenaYR 2017 T1 Dynamic HIV-1 genetic recombination and genotypic drug resistance among treatment-experienced adults in northern Ghana JF Journal of Medical Microbiology, VO 66 IS 11 SP 1663 OP 1672 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000621 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1473-5644, AB Purpose. There have been hardly any reports on the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) drug-resistance profile from northern Ghana since antiretroviral therapy (ART) was introduced over a decade ago. This study investigated prevailing HIV-1 subtypes and examined the occurrence of drug resistance in ART-experienced patients in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region of Ghana. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was carried out on HIV-infected adult patients receiving first-line ART. HIV viral load (VL) and CD4+ T-cell counts were measured. The pol gene sequences were analysed for genotypic resistance by an in-house HIV-1 drug-resistance test; the prevailing HIV-1 subtypes were analysed in detail. Results/Key findings. A total of 33 subjects were studied. Participants comprised 11 males (33.3 %) and 22 (66.7 %) females, with a median age of 34.5 years [interquartile range (IQR) 30.0–40.3]. The median duration on ART was 12 months (IQR 8.0–24). Of the 24 subjects successfully genotyped, 10 (41.7 %) viruses possessed at least one mutation conferring resistance to nucleoside or non-nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs/NNRTIs). Two-class drug resistance to NRTI and NNRTI was mostly detected (25 %, 6/24). The most frequent mutations were lamivudine-resistance M184V and efavirenz/nevirapine-resistance K103N. HIV-1 subtype CRF02_AG was predominant (79.2 %). Other HIV-1 subtypes detected were G (8.3 %), A3 (4.2 %) and importantly two (8.3 %) unique HIV-1 recombinant forms with CRF02_AG/A3 mosaic. Conclusion. HIV-1 shows high genetic diversity and on-going viral genetic recombination in the study region. Nearly 42 % of the patients studied harboured a drug-resistant virus. The study underscores the need for continued surveillance of HIV-1 subtype diversity; and of drug-resistance patterns to guide selection of second-line regimens in northern Ghana., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.000621