Open AccessImplications for Europe of high prevalence of HIV drug resistance in the United States
Author(s) -
Deenan Pillay
Publication year - 2002
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 9999-1233
DOI - 10.2807/esw.06.02.01999-en
Subject(s) - human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , drug , drug resistance , viral load , medicine , virology , disease , drug holiday , intensive care medicine , immunology , pharmacology , biology , genetics
Over 16 drugs are now available for use against HIV, broadly comprising three classes of agent. Their use, in combination, has had a dramatic impact in reducing disease progression. Successful treatment is increasingly defined as the maintenance of plasma viral RNA load at undetectable levels. Reasons for ‘virological failure’ (viral rebound) on treatment are many, but perhaps the single most important factor is suboptimal drug compliance.