Emergence and evolution of drug resistance in the absence of viral load monitoring during 48 weeks of Combivir/Tenofovir within the DART Trial.

• From: Department for International Development
• Published: 1 January 2007

• Country: Uganda, Zimbabwe
• Document Type: Research Paper
• Theme: Health
• Authors: Gilks, C., Pillay, D., Kityo, C., Munderi, P., Hakim, J., Kaleebu, P., Lyagoba, F., Robertson, V., Tugame, S., Dunn, D.

Abstract

In a subset of patients from the DART trial (Uganda/Zimbabwe) of antretroviral therapy monitoring strategies, treated with zidovudine/lamivudine and tenofovir, viral load was measured after 0, 24 and 48 weeks, and the pol gene of viruses from samples with a high viral load was sequenced. There was a high prevalence of mutations and resistance, especially after 48 weeks – without viral load monitoring to indicate when a change of treatment is necessary, extensive resistance is likely. 10% of baseline samples had evidence of resistant virus, probably due to undisclosed previous treatment.

Citation

14th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Los Angeles, USA, 25-28 February 2007: Abstract 642.

Links

Emergence and evolution of drug resistance in the absence of viral load monitoring during 48 weeks of Combivir/Tenofovir within the DART Trial.

Published 1 January 2007