HIV Drug Resistance and Testing

The Facts about Drug Resistance

Drug resistance basics
This information details what HIV is, how it reproduces, why antivirals work to stop it, and why they sometimes fail. You will also learn about drug resistance and why it is a significant obstacle to the long-term success of HIV therapy

The incidence of drug resistance in the U.S.
As drug resistance becomes a more significant factor in antiviral therapy, it could potentially change how HIV is treated.

Understanding Drug Resistance Testing

Drug resistance testing basics
In this new era of HIV treatment, it is important that you understand what drug resistance is, how physicians test for it, and what the results of drug resistance testing mean. The following information offers an in-depth discussion of drug resistance testing.

Phenotypic testing
The following information offers an in-depth discussion of one type of drug resistance testing: phenotypic testing. You will learn what phenotypic testing is, how it differs from other resistance testing methods, and how it can help physicians design more effective treatment regimens.

Genotypic testing and Virtual Phenotyping
The following information offers an in-depth discussion of genotypic drug resistance testing and an overview of Virtual Phenotyping. You will learn how the genetic makeup of HIV can be used to detect drug resistance, how genotypic testing differs from other resistance testing methods, and how it can help physicians begin to overcome the challenges of drug resistance.

When drug resistance testing should be used
Studies have shown that drug resistance testing can help optimize the selection of antiviral medications for initial treatment regimens and when planning new regimens following treatment failure.

Other drug resistance resources

Reimbursement for drug resistance testing in the U.S. by state
Because resistance testing is becoming widely accepted as the standard of care for the selection of antiretroviral therapy, federal payers and private insurance companies are rapidly establishing reimbursement policies for PhenoSense HIV and GeneSeq HIV. Reimbursement is already available nationally from Medicare, and is available in multiple states from many private payers, Medicaid, and ADAP. There is legislation pending for reimbursement from Medicaid and ADAP in many of the states not currently offering coverage.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HIV Drug Resistance Testing Guidelines USA-IAS panel

Euro Guidelines Group HIV Drug Resistance Testing Recommendations

Listing of drug resistance testing laboratories

Elsewhere on the Internet

HIVResistanceWeb.com

AIDSMeds.com

The Body.com

HIVandHepatitis.com

Project Inform

The Positive Direction

HIVDrugResistance.com

AIDS.org

About.com/AIDS

San Francisco AIDS Foundation

HIV Insite

NCI Drug Resistance Program (DRP)

Johns Hopkins AIDS Service - Patient Forum

AMFAR

Copyright © 2001 - The Positive Direction. Brought to you courtesy of The Positive Direction. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the copyright owner.

ÆGIS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

ÆGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

-- AEGiS


This information is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

©1980,2008. AEGiS. AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.