Resistance, recombination, evolution--and chance: an interview with Andrew J. Leigh Brown, PhD. [interview by Mark Mascolini]

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Resistance, recombination, evolution--and chance: an interview with Andrew J. Leigh Brown, PhD. [interview by Mark Mascolini]

J Int Assoc Physicians AIDS Care. 1997 Jul;3(7):34-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/97702760
Brown AJL; Clearinghouse, AIDS Newsletter Database, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD; 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5714. A fee will apply.

Abstract: Dr. Andrew J. Leigh Brown, Ph.D. provides his insights on the transmission of drug-resistant virus, the role of chance in viral evolution, how often recombination might influence viral evolution in an individual, and moving from theory to practice in the fight against HIV. Dr. Brown states that no data currently exist indicating that there is a definite increase in transmission of resistant virus, but because of the increasing use of antiretrovirals, such an occurrence is likely. However, because of the widespread use of multiple drug combinations, the ability to determine specific viral resistance in individual patients may take many years to sort out. He does indicate that it is unlikely that a viral population evolves purely by chance, yet evidence does indicate that under some circumstances, the outcome may actually be a chance event. Dr. Brown reveals that recombination is being detected more often as patients are being studied in greater detail. However, the impact of combination therapy, under optimal conditions, reduces replication of the virus such that the production of new mutants, and therefore the appearance of recombinants, are reduced to undetectable levels. Dr. Brown acknowledges that there are potential genetic differences in viral subtypes but these differences have not been examined in a way that would allow conclusions to be drawn.

Keywords: *Drug Resistance, Microbial/GENETICS *HIV Infections/TRANSMISSION *HIV Infections/VIROLOGY *HIV-1/GENETICS
971230
M97C1564

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