Epidemiology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Epidemiology, including details on twin studies, statistics, environmental and genetic factors.

Prevalence and Epidemiology of HIV Type 1 Drug Resistance among Newly Diagnosed Therapy-Naive Patients in Belgium from 2003 to 2006.

Vercauteren J, Derdelinckx I, Sasse A, Bogaert M, Ceunen H, De Roo A, De Wit S, Deforche K, Echahidi F, Fransen K, Goffard JC, Goubau P, Goudeseune E, Yombi JC, Lacor P, Liesnard C, Moutschen M, Pierard D, Rens R, Schrooten Y, Vaira D, Van Den Heuvel A, Van Der Gucht B, Van Ranst M, Van Wijngaerden E, Vandercam B, Vekemans M, Verhofstede C, Clumeck N, Vandamme AM, Van Laethem K

Rega Institute for Medical Research and University Hospitals, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

This study is the first prospective study to assess the prevalence, epidemiology, and risk factors of HIV-1 drug resistance in newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients in Belgium. In January 2003 it was initiated as part of the pan-European SPREAD program, and continued thereafter for four inclusion rounds until December 2006. Epidemiological, clinical, and behavioral data were collected using a standardized questionnaire and genotypic resistance testing was done on a sample taken within 6 months of diagnosis. Two hundred and eighty-five patients were included. The overall prevalence of transmitted HIV-1 drug resistance in Belgium was 9.5% (27/285, 95% CI: 6.6-13.4). Being infected in Belgium, which largely coincided with harboring a subtype B virus, was found to be significantly associated with transmission of drug resistance. The relatively high rate of baseline resistance might jeopardize the success of first line treatment as more than 1 out of 10 (30/285, 10.5%) viruses did not score as fully susceptible to one of the recommended first-line regimens, i.e., zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz. Our results support the implementation of genotypic resistance testing as a standard of care in all treatment-naive patients in Belgium.

Published 10 March 2008 in AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses.
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