The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Kazakhstan

The number of people living with HIV in Kazakhstan increased from 11,000 to 35,000 between 2010 and 2021, with emerging antiretroviral therapy (ART) resistance posing a challenge to effective treatment. Unsafe injection practices among people who inject drugs (PWID), the stigma against men who have...

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Main Authors: Aidana Mustafa, Natalya Dzissyuk, Bauyrzhan Bayserkin, Dinara Begimbetova, Zhamilya Nugmanova, Syed Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/5/690
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author Aidana Mustafa
Natalya Dzissyuk
Bauyrzhan Bayserkin
Dinara Begimbetova
Zhamilya Nugmanova
Syed Ali
author_facet Aidana Mustafa
Natalya Dzissyuk
Bauyrzhan Bayserkin
Dinara Begimbetova
Zhamilya Nugmanova
Syed Ali
author_sort Aidana Mustafa
collection DOAJ
description The number of people living with HIV in Kazakhstan increased from 11,000 to 35,000 between 2010 and 2021, with emerging antiretroviral therapy (ART) resistance posing a challenge to effective treatment. Unsafe injection practices among people who inject drugs (PWID), the stigma against men who have sex with men, sex work, drug possession, HIV transmission, HIV exposure, and the non-disclosure of HIV status create obstacles to effective prevention and care. Our recent studies with people living with HIV (PLWH) in Kazakhstan have revealed the prevalence of mutations in HIV that may confer resistance to certain ART components currently being administered in the country. Additionally, subtype A6- and CRF02_AG-infected PLWH displayed the occurrence of certain distinct subtype-specific DRMs. Subtype A6 exhibited a tendency for the DRMs A62V, G190S, K101E, D67N, and V77I, whereas CRF02_AG was more associated with S162A, K103N, and V179E. Both subtypes had a comparable frequency of the M184V mutation and displayed similar patterns in the distribution of Q174K. Based on our findings, we recommend that DRM screening and subtype diagnosis before the initiation of ART will improve treatment efficiency while preventing the emergence of further DRMs in Kazakhstan.
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spelling doaj-art-9fd19e21cb404e6abbd0b7f7341475352025-08-20T02:34:02ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-05-0117569010.3390/v17050690The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in KazakhstanAidana Mustafa0Natalya Dzissyuk1Bauyrzhan Bayserkin2Dinara Begimbetova3Zhamilya Nugmanova4Syed Ali5Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, KazakhstanKazakh Scientific Center of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, Almaty 050094, KazakhstanKazakh Scientific Center of Dermatology and Infectious Diseases, Almaty 050094, KazakhstanLaboratory of Molecular Oncology, Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astana, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, KazakhstanHIV Infection and Infection Control Division, Department of Epidemiology, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty 050094, KazakhstanDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Astana 010000, KazakhstanThe number of people living with HIV in Kazakhstan increased from 11,000 to 35,000 between 2010 and 2021, with emerging antiretroviral therapy (ART) resistance posing a challenge to effective treatment. Unsafe injection practices among people who inject drugs (PWID), the stigma against men who have sex with men, sex work, drug possession, HIV transmission, HIV exposure, and the non-disclosure of HIV status create obstacles to effective prevention and care. Our recent studies with people living with HIV (PLWH) in Kazakhstan have revealed the prevalence of mutations in HIV that may confer resistance to certain ART components currently being administered in the country. Additionally, subtype A6- and CRF02_AG-infected PLWH displayed the occurrence of certain distinct subtype-specific DRMs. Subtype A6 exhibited a tendency for the DRMs A62V, G190S, K101E, D67N, and V77I, whereas CRF02_AG was more associated with S162A, K103N, and V179E. Both subtypes had a comparable frequency of the M184V mutation and displayed similar patterns in the distribution of Q174K. Based on our findings, we recommend that DRM screening and subtype diagnosis before the initiation of ART will improve treatment efficiency while preventing the emergence of further DRMs in Kazakhstan.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/5/690HIVARTDRMdrug resistanceKazakhstan
spellingShingle Aidana Mustafa
Natalya Dzissyuk
Bauyrzhan Bayserkin
Dinara Begimbetova
Zhamilya Nugmanova
Syed Ali
The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Kazakhstan
Viruses
HIV
ART
DRM
drug resistance
Kazakhstan
title The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Kazakhstan
title_full The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Kazakhstan
title_fullStr The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Kazakhstan
title_full_unstemmed The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Kazakhstan
title_short The Need for the Optimization of HIV Antiretroviral Therapy in Kazakhstan
title_sort need for the optimization of hiv antiretroviral therapy in kazakhstan
topic HIV
ART
DRM
drug resistance
Kazakhstan
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/5/690
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