Understanding the Changing Prevalence of K65R
Kristof Theys 1, Anne-Mieke Vandamme 1
1 NULL
*Correspondence: Anne-Mieke Vandamme, Email not available
Abstract
Selection of the reverse transcriptase mutationK65R has been a matter of concern because themutation may result in broad cross-resistance, reducingsusceptibility to all other approved nucleosidereverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), exceptzidovudine. The mutation is selected mainly by tenofovir(TDF) and to a lesser extent by didanosine(ddI) and abacavir (ABC). Despite the wide use ofK65R-selecting drugs, the overall prevalence intreatment-experienced patients has been quite low.However, an increasing trend in prevalence and incidencehas been observed in recent years, whichis attributed to the increasing use of TDF since itsFDA approval in 2001.
