UNAIR NEWS –听Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi province with the highest number of HIV sufferers.听According to Siti Qamariyah Khairunisa, S.Si., M.Si, a member of UNAIR听HIV-1 / AIDS and听Institute of Tropical Disease听(ITD) research team,听the highest HIV-1听subtype听in Manado is the same as the majority of HIV-1 subtypes in Indonesia which is CRF01_AE at 84.1%.
“There are least a few听HIV-1听subtypes听in Manado, CRF01_AE,听subtype听B,听subtype听CRF07_BC and recombination between CRF01_AE and CRF02_AG, “explained Ria.
The difference between the various听subtypes听lies in the arrangement of DNA material.听In her research, researchers used听polymerase chain reaction听(PCR)听method.
The PCR technique itself is a method for DNA replication enzymatically without using organisms.听An analysis using听DNA sequencing听was then conducted and matched on genetic material data in GenBank.
Furthermore, the research also detected the origin of the听CRF01_AE听subtype听in Manado.听By using听phylogenetic analysis听method, there听is an indication that the听subtype听was from Bali.
“It is estimated that the virus entered Manado in around 1990, ” she continued.
In the future, surveillance听studies will continue听to be conducted to identify sources of HIV spread, to identify the transmission routes of the听CRF01_AE听subtype听in Indonesia and to develop therapeutic effectiveness in HIV patients.
Beside identifying听subtypes听and transmission routes, the government is also expected to make policies to implement resistance health checks on HIV sufferers so when there is a resistant patient detected, the patient can get the appropriate therapy.
“Although there is no cure for HIV, but at least a right therapy can make the condition better and extend the life of patients,” stated Ria.
Author: Galuh Mega Kurnia
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
Reference : 听Ueda, S., Witaningrum, A. M. & Khairunisa, S. Q., 2018. Genetic Diversity and Drug Resistance of HIV-1 Circulating in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. AIDS RESEARCH AND HUMAN RETROVIRUSES, 00(00), pp. 1-7.
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