HIV-1 Genotype

[Pippet]

In my genotype results it lists "no predicted resistance".  Then it lists the following  mutations detected;
RT gene mutations : R211K
PR gene mutations : E35D, L63P

What do these mutations mean?

Thanks.

[newt]

The letters and numbers describe substitution of an amino acid at a certain portion of the HIV virus. Number = location, letter = shorthand code for the amino acid.

211K is a nuke related mutation that's unimportant on its own.  It is often seen in people who have never been on antiretroviral therapy.  It sometimes appears when people have been on AZT. If you have never taken AZT this is probably unimportant, and certainly unimportant if you choose a combo without AZT in it. 

35D appears to be an unimportant PI related mutation.  63P is a common PI related mutation. On its own it is very unlikely to be significant.  A phenotype test (one that looks to see if drugs work) would say you are sensitive to all PIs with these two mutations. PIs need 4,5,6,10+ mutations to affect their effectiveness.

So overall, a clean as you's gonna get genotype.  Nearly everyone has some mutations.

- matt (6 mutations) the newt

[Pippet]

Thanks again Matt.