Point-of-Care Tests for HIV Drug Resistance Monitoring: Advances and Potentials

Rayeil J Chua; Rupert Capiña; Hezhao Ji

doi:10.3390/pathogens11070724

Point-of-Care Tests for HIV Drug Resistance Monitoring: Advances and Potentials

Pathogens. 2022 Jun 25;11(7):724. doi: 10.3390/pathogens11070724.

Authors

Rayeil J Chua¹, Rupert Capiña¹, Hezhao Ji^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ National Microbiology Laboratory at JC Wilt Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R2, Canada.
² Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada.

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a global public health crisis that is yet to be contained. Effective management of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) supported by close resistance monitoring is essential in achieving the WHO 95-95-95 targets, aiming to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Point-of-care tests (POCT) enable decentralized HIVDR testing with a short turnaround time and minimal instrumental requirement, allowing timely initiation of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) and regimen adjustment as needed. HIVDR POCT is of particular significance in an era when ART access is scaling up at a global level and enhanced HIVDR monitoring is urgently needed, especially for low-to-middle-income countries. This article provides an overview of the currently available technologies that have been applied or potentially used in HIVDR POCT. It may also benefit the continued research and development efforts toward more innovative HIVDR diagnostics.

Keywords: HIV; drug resistance; point-of-care test; resource-limited setting.

Grants and funding

This work is funded, APC included, by the National Microbiology Laboratory Branch of the Public Health Agency of Canada, to which all co-authors are affiliated.