Expansion of Viral Load Testing and the Potential Impact on HIV Drug Resistance

J Infect Dis. 2017 Dec 1;216(suppl_9):S805-S807. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix432.

Abstract

The US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supports aggressive scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in high-burden countries and across all genders and populations at risk toward global human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic control. PEPFAR recognizes the risk of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) as a consequence of aggressive ART scale-up and is actively promoting 3 key steps to mitigate the impact of HIVDR: (1) routine access to routine viral load monitoring in all settings; (2) optimization of ART regimens; and (3) routine collection and analysis of HIVDR data to monitor the success of mitigation strategies. The transition to dolutegravir-based regimens in PEPFAR-supported countries and the continuous evolution of HIVDR surveillance strategies are essential elements of PEPFAR implementation.

Keywords: HIV; HIV treatment; HIVDR; PEPFAR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Capacity Building
  • Developing Countries
  • Drug Resistance, Viral / drug effects
  • HIV / drug effects
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • Humans
  • Viral Load / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents