Clinical correlates and molecular basis of HIV drug resistance
Article Abstract:
Mutations within the pol gene of HIV appear to be responsible for resistance to the anti-HIV drugs zidovudine (ZDV), didanosine (ddI), and zalcitabine (ddC). The pol gene codes for the enzyme reverse transcriptase (RT), which is critical for viral replication. Anti-HIV drugs inhibit RT activity, but in some cases, mutant strains emerge that are resistant to the drugs. Resistance to ZDV generally takes at least six months to develop. Patients in the advanced stages of HIV disease and those with low CD4 T cell counts are more likely to develop ZDV resistance. HIV patients who are resistant to ZDV do not appear to be cross-resistant to ddI, so ddI may be an important alternative therapy to ZDV. Resistance to ddI can also develop, but studies suggest ddI resistance is far less prevalent, and even in affected individuals, less extensive than ZDV resistance. Because of the high rate of mutation of viral RT, it is probable that drug resistance will develop in response to any form of antiviral therapy.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0894-9255
Year: 1993
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Laboratory evidence of active HIV-1 infection in Canadians with hemophilia associated with administration of heat-treated Factor VIII
Article Abstract:
Since 1985, 372 Canadians with hemophilia have been monitored on a twice-yearly basis for signs of infection with HIV, the AIDS virus. During that time, six individuals were found to seroconvert, or convert from having no antibodies to HIV to being HIV-positive. These six patients were receiving preparations of clotting factor VIII, which had been heat-treated at 60 degrees centigrade for 30 minutes to inactivate any HIV that might be present. The seroconversion of the patients, which was observed during a long-term longitudinal study, provides strong evidence that the inactivation protocol for these batches of factor VIII was not adequate. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0894-9255
Year: 1990
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