Is HIV becoming drug-resistant?

HIV infection is infrequent among individuals taking PrEP, and particularly among those who adhere to their medications. However, among people becoming HIV infected despite the use of PrEP, the emergence of drug resistance is common.

How common is HIV drug resistance?

The prevalence of transmitted drug resistance is estimated to be between 12% and 24% among people living with HIV in the U.S. Pretreatment HIV drug resistance can occur before treatment is even started. This may occur if a person is exposed to HIV medications when they become infected with HIV.

Are antiretroviral drugs available in Africa?

Africa is leading the world in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, with 7.6 million people across the continent receiving antiretroviral therapy as of December 2012, including 7.5 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.

Is HIV treatment available in Africa?

Despite economic constraints, during this period, sub-Saharan Africa developed the world’s biggest HIV treatment programmes, providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to more than 12 million people, compared with 11,000 in the year 2000.

How do viruses become resistant to drugs?

The genetic barrier reflects the number and type of mutations that must be accumulated in order for the virus to develop significant drug resistance while maintaining adequate growth. Lamivudine is an intermediate potency drug with a low genetic barrier to resistance, resulting in high resistance rates.

What causes resistance to drugs?

Microbes also may get genes from each other, including genes that make the microbe drug resistant. Bacteria multiply by the billions. Bacteria that have drug-resistant DNA may transfer a copy of these genes to other bacteria. Non-resistant bacteria receive the new DNA and become resistant to drugs.

When did ARVs become available in Africa?

Eventually, ARV treatment became available in South Africa. The government finalised a rollout plan for these life-saving medications during 2003. Gauteng was first in line for implementation and rollout and, shortly thereafter, a nationwide rollout followed.

How much do ARV drugs cost in South Africa?

According to our calculations, the average price is R86. 54 (US$6.26) per person per month. Of the eight versions of the new three-drug combination available in the private sector in South Africa, the cheapest is priced at R616 per month – more than seven times the average public sector price.

Can your body become immune to antivirals?

Reduced susceptibility detected using laboratory tests can be a sign of potential antiviral drug resistance in clinical settings. Typically, flu virus is called resistant after sufficient evidence was gathered to prove a lack of antiviral effect of a particular antiviral medication in patients infected with such virus.

Does antiviral resistance exist?

Viruses are known to rapidly undergo genome mutations with successive replications, increasing the chances of resistance to existing antiviral treatments. (7) To date, antiviral drug resistance has been reported for human viral diseases including AIDS, hepatitis B and C, herpes, and influenza.

What are the 5 mechanisms of drug resistance?

The main mechanisms of resistance are: limiting uptake of a drug, modification of a drug target, inactivation of a drug, and active efflux of a drug. These mechanisms may be native to the microorganisms, or acquired from other microorganisms.