HIV-1 p24 antigen, HIV-1 protease and expression of HIV-1 Gag-Pol genes amongst HIV-1 Infected individuals in Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Nigeria.

Emeje Paul Isaac 1, *, Oladipe Tunmise Tope 2, Onoja-Alexander Mary Ojonema 3, Yahaya Shehu 4 and Obajemu Babatunde Samuel 5

1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Biochemistry, Confluence University of Science and Technology Osara, Kogi State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria.
 4 Department of Bioprocessing, Biotechnology Development Agency Abuja, Nigeria.
 5 Department of Chemical Pathology, Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
Magna Scientia Advanced Biology and Pharmacy, 2024, 13(01), 085–094
Article DOI: 10.30574/msabp.2024.13.1.0058
Publication history: 
Received on 14 August 2024; revised on 28 September 2024; accepted on 30 September 2024
 
Abstract: 
This study is aimed at expressing HIV-1 Pol and Gag genes in the monitoring of HIV-1 patients on HAART in Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, that randomly recruited 75 participants within the age range of 18 and 65 years with a population- based sample of males and females divided into three groups designated A to C; comprising of 25 HIV-1 seropositive individuals on HAART (TDF + 3TC + EFV) designated as group A, 25 HIV-1 seropositive individuals on HAART (AZT + 3TC +NVP) designated as group B, and 25 HAART naïve HIV-1 seropositive individuals designated as control group C. Blood samples were taken and analyzed using ELISA for p24 antigen, HIV-1 protease and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for HIV-1 Gag-Pol genes. The PCR products were analyzed on 1% agarose gel electrophoresis. Data were analyzed using SPSS software application (version 25.0) and expressed as mean ± standard error of mean. The results showed a significant difference in p24 antigen and HIV-1 protease in group A (9.64 ± 5.34 and 5.48 ± 6.62) when compared to control (16.3 ± 3.68 and 26.68 ± 11.71) (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference in p24 antigen and HIV-1 protease in group B (13.01 ± 5.19 and 20.47 ±7.53) when compared to control (16.3 ± 3.68 and 26.68 ± 11.71) (p<0.05). The gene expression of HIV-1 Pol is broadly expressed compared to the HIV-1 Gag gene expression. The negative Gag expression could be due to decrease in p24 antigen as the antibody increases.
 
Keywords: 
HIV-1 POL; HIV-1 GAG; HIV-1 P24; HIV-1 Protease; HAART
 
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