The Stanford University Medical Center is now offering complete HIV testing for antiviral drug resistance.
"HIV antiviral resistance testing by genotyping," to detect mutations associated with drug resistance, can be performed from blood samples delivered to the California-based institution via courier service, and referring physicians can have the test results back within 2 to 3 weeks. The genetic sequence of the reverse transcriptase and protease genes are determined and analyzed for known resistance mutations, and the findings are then compared with the patient's drug history and clinical findings, the article continued.
Dr. Robert Shafer of the University estimates that 10% to 20% of newly infected patients have a drug resistant HIV strain. "If a person has been infected with a resistant strain, that would certainly influence the choice of initial therapy," he explained. In addition, identification of drug resistant mutations can help physicians determine the reason for increases in viral load, which can also occur as a result of poor absorption or non-compliance with treatment.
The testing, which is performed at the Diagnostic Virology Lab, costs from $350 to $650, and must be ordered by a physician. For more information, contact Ann Warford, Diagnostic Virology, at (650) 725-8031.
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