16/07/2003

Cases of drug-resistant HIV increase across Europe

A new study has revealed that the HIV virus is becoming increasingly resistant to current drug treatments.

Research which followed the case histories of 1,600 patients across Europe, found that one in ten patients who had yet to take antiretroviral drugs for HIV had already developed a resistance to the drugs, rendering them ineffective in the fight against the infection and narrowing the choice of medications doctors can offer those who have contracted the virus.

Presenting their findings at the International Aids Conference in Paris, scientists involved in the research went on to reveal that drug-resistance was heavily connected with the subtype of HIV involved. HIV subtype B – which is the subtype prevalent amongst patients in Europe and the US – carries much higher rates of drug-resistance than other subtypes. Researchers have theorised that this is due to a longer tradition of drug therapy for this subtype, thus allowing time for resistance to develop.

In contrast, the non-B HIV subtype, the strain most often seen in patients in Africa and Asia, carries a much lower incidence of drug-resistance.

Jack Summerside, health promotion manager at UK aids support and information organisation, the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "This research highlights the necessity of enduring that people with HIV have the necessary knowledge and skills to avoid passing HIV onto others, especially if they have a drug-resistant strain."

(CL)


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