Virological and Molecular Profile of People Living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Starting Dolutegravir Based Antiretroviral Treatment in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Context: Despite the new recommendations “Test and Treat”, the virological and molecular parameters remain important information for Antiretroviral Treatment and adequate for monitoring of patients infected with HIV/AIDS. Objective: the Objective of this study is to present the virological and molecular profile of People Living with HIV starting Antiretroviral Therapy in Kinshasa in the era of the Dolutegravir. Methods: This was a transversal study to determine virological and molecular profile of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) starting an ARV Treatment. The patient’s inclusion period was from October 04, 2021 to February 15, 2022. A sample of 5 ml of blood was taken in a tube with EDTA anticoagulant for Molecular Biology analyzes (Viral Load and Sequencing) in all HIV patients, after reading and signing informed consent. The population was made up of adult patients over the age of 18, infected with HIV and starting ART. Results: 119 patients (56.3% of women) were included in this study, thus a sex-ratio of 1.29. The average age of patients included was 39.87 ± 12.36 years. The most represented age group is that of 36 to 45 with 37 patients (31.9%) followed by that from 26 to 35 years with 24 patients (20.7%). Out of 119 patients, 21 patients had an undetectable Viral Load (VL). The median value of VL was 4.16 log10 RNA copies/ml. 114 samples were successfully amplified. Subtype A was dominant with 23 cases (20.2%); followed by the subtype C and CRF02_AG each with 14.0%, and D (10.5 %). K65R (1.8%), T69P/N (4.4%), K70R (7.9%) and M184V (7.0%) mutations were listed as existing mutations for Nucleotide Transcriptase Inhibitors. Conclusion: 38 patients (31.93%) started the TARV with a positive virological prognosis. The subtype A remains dominant in Kinshasa with 23 cases (20.2%); followed by the subtype C and CRF02_AG each with 14.0%. For Inhibitors of Transcriptase Reverse Nucleotide; K65R, T69P/N, K70E/R and M184V mutations were found in patients’ naive of ARV Treatment.