Important note: Information in this article was accurate in September 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.AIDSWEEKLY Plus; September 16, 2002
Michael Greer, Senior Medical Writer
"HIV genotyping has been beneficial when choosing salvage regimens in adults failing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)," explained Nicole J. Cohen and colleagues working at the University of Chicago Hospitals.
However, Cohen and coauthors found evidence suggesting that HIV genotyping is less effective at predicting children's response to treatment.
The researchers assessed therapy outcomes for 18 children who underwent viral genotyping after failing to respond to their initial HAART regimen. Study participants underwent a progress review every 3 months for 1 year after genotyping, according to the report.
Ten patients changed HAART regimens after HIV genotyping, but none of these patients achieved a virologic response to their altered therapy, study data showed. By contrast, one of the eight children who maintained the original regimen after genotyping showed a durable reduction in viral load 1 year later.
In two-thirds of the children studied, HIV genotyping revealed viral resistance mutations to drugs they had not yet been treated with (Response to changes in antiretroviral therapy after genotyping in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2002 Jul;21(7):647-653.
"This study did not demonstrate substantial clinical benefit to HIV genotyping in antiretroviral agent-experienced pediatric patients with high viral loads," Cohen and colleagues concluded. "However, medication history alone does not appear to be an adequate alternative to genotyping in choosing salvage regimens in antiretroviral agent-experienced children."
The corresponding author for this report is Nicole J. Cohen, University of Chicago Hospitals, Dept. of Pediatrics, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Key points reported in this study include:
This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.
020916
AW020907
Copyright © 2002 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net
AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright © 1980,2002. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.