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When Resistance Testing Should Be Used
Based on the increasing prevalence of drug resistance, greater importance is being placed on tools that help healthcare providers guide treatment decisions. Studies have shown that drug resistance testing helps optimize selection of antiretroviral medications in initial treatment regimens and when planning new regimens following treatment failure.
Click on the links below to learn more about when resistance testing should be used.
Before therapy begins —
Because drug-resistant strains of HIV can be passed from one acutely infected person to another, resistance testing can be used to evaluate drug resistance in individuals who have never received therapy. The results can help healthcare professionals and patients work together to design a targeted treatment plan that is more likely to be effective for a longer period of time.
Following treatment failure —
There are a number of reasons why a person may experience treatment failure. They include: poor adherence, poor drug absorption, and drug resistance. When treatment failure is due to drug resistance, resistance testing can help determine which drug or drugs are not working as anticipated. By removing the ineffective drug or drugs from a patient's treatment, a healthcare professional can create a new treatment plan that is more likely to suppress the virus.
Consensus Recommendations —
Treatment guidelines that include drug resistance testing have been made by the US Department of Health and Human Services and the International AIDS Society - USA Panel. They recommend drug resistance testing for the selection of new antiretroviral therapy regimens after treatment failure. It is also recommended that drug resistance testing be considered for patients who require, but have not yet received therapy. Resistance testing is recommended for pregnant women to optimize treatment during pregnancy and to select the best therapy to prevent the transmission of HIV to the fetus.
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