First study of its kind on HIV genetic diversity for Ghana developed by MSc student

In Ghana, remarkably diverse HIV strains cocirculate, but the full extent of this diversity remains unresolved. Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) MSc student Anna Appah published a study examining HIV-1 subtype diversity in Ghana, increasing the country’s mere 31 full-genome HIV sequences in the public domain by over 200%.

Up-to-date information on HIV diversity, subtype distribution, drug resistance and coreceptor usage is critical to guide HIV treatment, inform vaccine design, and curative strategies. In Ghana, however, the last HIV drug resistance survey per WHO guidelines occurred in 2013. Additionally, very little literature exists on HIV coreceptor usage despite its relevance in the prescription of entry inhibitors for treatment.

“Taking cognizance of these knowledge gaps in HIV research in the country, this study, the first of its kind to be undertaken, expounds on HIV in Ghana; our results show the ever-growing extent of HIV diversity in Ghana,” Appah explains. “This study is vital; ultimately, HIV diversity has crucial implications for HIV prevention (i.e. vaccine design). Additionally, knowledge on resistance mutations in resource limited regions through research studies and surveys promotes the use of appropriate therapy in these regions.”

While a moderate number of studies from Ghana shed light on HIV subtype diversity and drug resistance, study size and success rates have been relatively low. Her results enhance understanding of pretreatment drug resistance in Ghana, highlighting the importance of periodic HIV drug resistance surveys in the country to guide population-level HIV treatment recommendations.

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During the Canada Post strike announced September 25, 2025, the following measures will be undertaken to minimize service disruption to BC-CfE clients and providers.

  • The BC-CfE Laboratory has transitioned to private courier for delivery of outgoing reports and documents. Results required urgently can be faxed upon request. (Lab Contact Information: Phone 604-806-8775; FAX 604-806-9463)
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  • St. Paul’s Hospital Ambulatory Pharmacy has transitioned to private courier for delivery of medications. We recommend requesting medication at least 2 weeks in advance in case of delivery delays, particularly to rural/remote parts of BC. (Contact Information: Phone 1-800-547-3622; FAX 604-806-8675)

During the Canada Post strike, we recommend that documents be faxed or couriered to our sites, versus utilization of regular mail service

The BC-CfE Laboratory is streamlining reporting processes for certain tests in order to simplify distribution and record-keeping, and to ensure completeness of results. Beginning September 2, 2025, results for the ‘Resistance Analysis of HIV-1 Protease and Reverse Transcriptase’ (Protease-RT) and ‘HIV-1 Integrase Resistance Genotype’ tests will be combined into a single ‘HIV-1 Resistance Genotype Report’.
For more details and example reports, please click on the button below