Genetic detection of HLA-B*5701 allele for prediction of Abacavir hypersensitivity among HIV-positive patients in Polish population

Abacavir (ABC) is a potent nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) of HIV-positive patients. However, 5 to 8% of patients manifest hypersensitivity reaction to ABC (ABC HSR) during first 6 weeks after therapy initiation. ABC HSR can be fatal if therapy with ABC is continued or ABC is restarted. There is an association between ABC HSR occurrence and a carriage of the Major Histocompatibility Complex class I allele HLA-B*5701. Genetic screening, before ABC initiation, significantly reduces a risk of developing ABC HSR. In accordance with European AIDS Clinical Society's guidelines Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory has been testing towards HLA-B*5701 since 2008.