HIV anti-retroviral resistance

Description: 
Sample sent to PHE Colindale VRD referral laboratory for HIV-1 antiretroviral genotypic resistance testing. The HIV-1 genotypic resistance assay detects mutations in the reverse transcriptase and protease regions of the HIV-1 polymerase gene and provides a drug resistance profile and viral sub type in EDTA whole blood (for plasma) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Please Note: If sending a CSF, a concurrent HIV viral load MUST also be requested on EDTA whole blood. Resistance tests for HIV-1 fusion inhibitors and integrase inhibitors and resistance tests for HIV-2 are sent to PHE Birmingham referral laboratory.
Clinical details: 
HIV drug resistance is a major reason for treatment failure. The virus can be resistant to one or more drugs in each of the three major classes of antiretroviral drugs. Resistance testing is recommended for patients failing treatment, new diagnoses and infected pregnant women.
Reference range: 

Not applicable

Synonyms or keywords: 
HIV, AIDS, genotyping, resistance testing
Units: 
Not applicable. Drug resistance profile (resistant/susceptible) is given for a comprehensive range of currently available anti-retroviral drugs.
Sample type and Volume required: 
4-9ml Purple Top EDTA blood (for whole blood or plasma) or Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) in a sterile universal container with no additives.
Call in advance: 
Only for urgent cases
Turnaround time: 
10 to 14 working days
Storage and transport: 
Place labelled sample in a sealed sample bag and send to Central Specimen Reception (CSR). Samples should be sent to CSR promptly as the sensitivity of assays that detect RNA/DNA depend on sample quality/integrity. Please store samples in a refrigerator if there is a delay in sending samples to CSR.
Contacts:
Infection Sciences Department at St Thomas' Hospital
020 7188 8008
St Thomas' Hospital
North Wing - 5th Floor
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7EH
Core opening hours: Monday-Friday 0900-1730


For clinical advice or interpretation of results, please contact the laboratory in the first instance.

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Last updated: 06/10/2023