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Enfuvirtide is active against HIV type 1 group O.

Poveda E, Barreiro P, Rodés B, Soriano V

Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.

A high diversity within the HR1/HR2 regions of viral gp41 and one natural change (N42D) within the 36-45 aa domain in HIV-1 group O in comparison with HIV-1 group M isolates have led us to suspect that enfuvirtide (ENF) should not be active against HIV-1 group O. We analyzed in vitro and in vivo the antiviral activity of ENF against HIV-1 group O isolates. The IC50 at baseline was 0.15 +/- 0.028 microg/ml in a clinically derived virus specimen. After initiating treatment with ENF, a significant decline in plasma HIV-RNA and CD4 gain was noticed in one patient. Therefore, individuals with HIV-1 group O strains might benefit from ENF therapy.

Published 1 July 2005 in AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses, 21(6): 583-5.
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