Mycobacterial Dermal Lesions of Children in Bam's Earthquake and Determination of their Antibiotic Resistance and Susceptibility

Abstract

e247 the circulating HIV-1 subtypes in our country. Moreover, it serves as a useful tool to determine the prevalence and distribution of HIV-1 subtypes and segregation of these subtypes among the different risk groups in Yangon (Lower Myanmar). Forty plasma samples were collected from 3 different risk groups: 10 from heterosexual male, 10 from heterosexual female, 12 from commercial sex workers (CSWs) and 8 from injecting drug users (IDUs) during 2000-2003. The viral RNA from plasma samples of 40 Western-blott confirmed HIVinfected individuals were extracted. These purified viral RNAs were then amplified by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and subsequently by nested (second round) PCR with the primers for gag (p24) region. The reference plasmid DNAs were also amplified by nested PCR with the primers for gag (p24) region. Out of 40 samples, only 22 samples were amplified by gag (p24) PCR allowing subsequent subtype determination. HIV-1 subtype of 22 samples were determined by HIV -1 Gag (p24) HMA. Of the 22 samples, 9 (40.9%) were subtype C, 5 (22.7%) were subtype B' (Thai B cluster within Subtype B), 2 (9.1%) were subtype E (CRF 01-AE), 2 (9.1%) were subtype A and 4 (18.2%) were untypable. Sequencing is normally recommended for these untypeable samples. From this study, HIV-1 gag subtypes C was newly discovered in Yangon (Lower Myanmar) samples for the first time, but previously found in Mandalay (Central Myanmar) since 2000. Subtype C was most commonly found (9 out of 22) in our study and was more predominant in the heterosexual group. In fact, this study is the pioneer ones in Myanmar to apply the HMA technique in our own laboratory setting. The gag subtype A and E was detected only among persons presumably infected sexually and the subtype B' and C were found in both IDUs and persons with sexual exposure. If possible, further confirmation of these subtypes by sequencing should be done. Out of 40 samples non-amplifiable 18 samples were subsequently amplified with second primer set for gag (p 17) region. Only 4 samples amplified but not classified into subtypes due to the limitation of facilities (lack of the corresponding reference plasmids for gag (p 17) region). So, transfer of HIV-1 gag/env HMA technology to the developing countries contributes to more accurate estimations of the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes and intersubtype recombinants and segregation of these subtypes in different risk groups in those parts of the world where the technology for sequencing is not readily available.