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Coresistance to zidovudine and foscarnet is associated with multiple mutations in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase.

Tachedjian G, French M, Mills J

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  • Journal Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy

  • Published 04 Dec 1998

  • Volume 42

  • ISSUE 11

  • Pagination 3038-43

  • DOI 10.1128/AAC.42.11.3038

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) isolates obtained from a patient with AIDS were assessed for coresistance to foscarnet and zidovudine. An HIV-1 strain (AP20) coresistant to foscarnet and zidovudine was isolated after 20 months of continuous combination therapy. The reverse transcriptase (RT) gene of AP20 had 41 substitutions which were different from the HXB2-D sequence and 9 that were different from the sequence of its foscarnet-sensitive, zidovudine-resistant progenitor virus (AP6). Six of these mutations were nonpolymorphic (T39A, V108I, K166R, K219R, K223Q, and L228R). Both strains had the conventional mutations mediating zidovudine resistance. In vivo selection may result in HIV-1 strains that are coresistant to foscarnet and zidovudine, but coresistance appears to require a complex evolutionary path and multiple RT mutations.