HIV-1 DRUG RESISTANCE ASSESSMENT IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Twenty-one vertically HIV-1 infected children were assessed for drug resistance genotyping. Eighteen children presented at least one mutation conferring resistance to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and seven children presented resistance to the non-nucleoside inhibitors. Among them, two children in whom the therapy had been discontinued two to three years before testing presented K101E, K103N, and G190A mutations conferring resistance to all the non-nucleoside drugs available for treatment. Protease gene mutations conferring resistance to at least two to up to twelve drugs were reported in 12 children. Studies in HIV-infected children have a particular meaning, and with antiretroviral therapy becoming more widely available, surveillance of viral resistance regional levels is relevant for treatment guidelines, supporting the rational use of antiretroviral drugs by treatment programs. Additional larger studies are still required to give more information on HIV-1 drug resistance in pediatric patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17525/vrr.v14i2.29