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Publication
Prevalence and epidemiology of HIV type 1 drug resistance among newly diagnosed therapy-naive patients in Belgium from 2003 to 2006
Journal Contribution - Journal Article
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.
Journal: AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses
ISSN: 0889-2229
Issue: 3
Volume: 24
Pages: 355 - 362
Publication year:2008
BOF-keylabel:yes
IOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:1
CSS-citation score:1
Authors from:Higher Education
Accessibility:Closed