A 6-base pair insertion in the protease gene of HIV type 1 detected in a protease inhibitor-naive patient is not associated with indinavir treatment failure.

Insertions in the protease gene of HIV-1 were rarely found and are not associated with reduced effectiveness of protease inhibitors although they are thought to be selected by protease inhibitor therapy. This is the first report of a 6-basepair insertion in the protease gene prior to protease inhibitor therapy.