Spectrum of Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Associated Drug Resistance Mutations in Persons Living with HIV-1 Receiving Rilpivirine

Few data are currently available on the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors (NNRTI) resistance mutations selected in persons living with HIV-1 (PLWH) who develop virological failure while receiving rilpivirine (RPV). We analyzed pooled HIV-1 RT genotypic data from 280 PLWH in the multicenter EuResist database and 115 PLWH in the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database (HIVDB) who received RPV as their only NNRTI. Among the 395 PLWH receiving RPV, 180 (45.6%) had one or more NNRTI-associated DRMs. Overall, 44 NNRTI-associated DRMs were identified, including 26 that occurred in two or more PLWHs. Seven mutations had a prevalence ≥10% among the 180 PLWH with one or more NNRTI-associated DRM: E138K (32.2%), V90I (25.0%), K101E (17.8%), Y181C (17.2%), E138A (13.9%), H221Y (12.2%), and K103N (10.6%). Y181C was significantly more likely to co-occur with K101E, V179F, H221Y, and M230L. Ten novel non-polymorphic mutations at known NNRTI-associated mutation positions were also identified, usually in just one PLWH: L100F, V108A, T139I, P225S, M230V, Y232C, and T240A/I/M/S. Our analysis extends the spectrum of mutations emerging in PLWH receiving RPV. Additional phenotypic characterization of RPV-selected mutations is necessary to better understand their biological and possible clinical significance.