February 2007 Cover
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A new, highly sensitive test can detect tiny levels of drug-resistant HIV in the blood, say researchers. They report that the test is about 1000 times more sensitive than the current
methods available for spotting drug-resistant strains. The test could help patients avoid medicines that ultimately fail to curb their HIV infection.
When drug-resistant HIV emerges within patients it can multiply unchecked and subsequently weaken the immune system, making them more prone to developing AIDS. There are about
30 well-established mutations that can make HIV resistant to one of 20 drugs used to treat this infection.
With current tests, the drug resistant strain has to reach at least 20 percent of the viral load in a patient before it can be detected. But researchers say that by this point the resistant
strain has gained a dangerous foothold in the body. Identifying the strain earlier could help doctors know which drugs to give to keep it in check.
from New Scientist
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