Transmitted Resistance to Antiretroviral Medications Still Prevalent in Turkey

Recent research highlights the significance of monitoring transmitted drug resistance to guide first-line antiretroviral therapy and control the rising HIV epidemic in Turkey. A study conducted at Hacettepe University Hospital analyzed 104 consecutive ART-naïve individuals living with HIV, identifying 97 from 25 different cities in Turkey and 7 from 5 different countries. The most probable transmission routes were men who have sex with men (64.42%), heterosexual contact (30.77%), and unknown (4.81%). Resistance-associated mutations were detected in 14.42% of individuals, with rates of 1.92% for PI, 4.80% for NRTI, and 7.69% for NNRTI. No resistance mutations were found against INSTI or CAI.

Key Takeaways:

• The study aimed to determine the prevalence of transmitted antiretroviral resistance to protease inhibitors (PIs), nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), and capsid assembly inhibitors (CAIs) in Turkey.
• The findings showed that resistance-associated mutations were detected in 14.42% of individuals, with the highest rate of 7.69% for NNRTI.
• The study concluded that transmitted resistance to PI, NRTI, and NNRTI remains present in Turkey, though at moderate levels.
• The absence of resistance to INSTI and CAI supports their potential utility as effective components of treatment regimens in Turkey.
• The research was conducted at Hacettepe University Hospital in Ankara, Turkey, and involved 104 consecutive ART-naïve individuals living with HIV.

Statistics:

• 104 consecutive ART-naïve individuals living with HIV analyzed in the study.
• 97 individuals from 25 different cities in Turkey.
• 7 individuals from 5 different countries.
• Resistance-associated mutations detected in 14.42% of individuals.
• 1.92% resistance rate for PI.
• 4.80% resistance rate for NRTI.
• 7.69% resistance rate for NNRTI.
• No resistance mutations found against INSTI or CAI.

Sources:

• Molecular Epidemiological Analysis and Investigation of Antiretroviral Drug Resistance Profile, Including Capsid Inhibitors, Among Treatment-naive Individuals With Hiv-1 In Turkiye. HIV Medicine, 2025.
• HIV Medicine can be contacted at: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; HIV Medicine - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1468-1293)
• Additional information may be obtained by contacting Adem Ozdemir, Mamak State Hosp, Dept. of Medical Microbiology, Tr-06260 Ankara, Turkiye.