Molecular and Clinical Profiles of Human Pegivirus Type 1 Infection in Individuals Living with HIV-1 in the Extreme South of Brazil

• Main Authors: Luísa D. Da Mota, Fabiana Finger-Jardim, Cláudio M. Silva, Fabiana N. Germano, Maiba M. Nader, Carla V. Gonçalves, Karen Y. Sánchez Luquez, José A. B. Chies, Andrea V. Groll, Vanusa P. Da Hora, Jussara Silveira, Rossana P. Basso, Marcelo A. Soares, Ana M. B. Martínez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2019-01-01
• Series: BioMed Research International
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2019/8048670
• ISSN: 2314-6133; 2314-6141

Human pegivirus type 1 (HPgV-1) infection has been associated with a beneficial effect on the prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-coinfected individuals. However, the mechanisms involved in this protection are not yet fully elucidated. To date, circulating HPgV-1 genotypes in HIV-1-infected individuals have not yet been identified in the extreme south of Brazil. The present study aimed to determine the genotypic circulation of HPgV-1 and the influence of HPgV-1 status and persistence time on the evolution of HIV-1 infection. A retrospective cohort of 110 coinfected individuals was analyzed. Samples were subjected to viral RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, nested PCR, and genotyping. Genotypes 1 (2.8%), 2 (47.9% of subtype 2a and 42.3% of subtype 2b), and 3 (7%) were identified. In antiretroviral treatment-naïve subjects HPgV-1 subtype 2b was associated with lower HIV-1 viral load (VL) rates (p = 0.04) and higher CD4+ T-cell counts (p = 0.03) than was subtype 2a, and the positivity for HPgV-1 was associated with higher CD4+ T-cell counts (p = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in HIV-1 VL between HPgV-1-positive and HPgV-1-negative subjects ​​(p = 0.08). There was no significant association between the different groups in HPgV-1 persistence and median HIV-1 VL (p = 0.66) or CD4+ T-cell counts (p = 0.15). HPgV-1 subtype 2b is associated with better prognosis of HIV-1 infection. Although HPgV-1 infection is persistent, our data suggest that the time of infection does not influence HIV-1 VL or CD4+ T-cell counts in coinfected subjects.