Genotypic Resistance Testing

Genotypic Resistance Testing- Why am I having this test?

Genotypic resistance testing is also called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) drug resistance testing. If you have HIV infection, this blood test may be done to help determine whether the virus in your body has changed (mutated) and is resistant to medicines called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HAART is a commonly used treatment for HIV.

Your health care provider may recommend this test:

  • Before you start taking HAART. This will help in selecting which medicines will work.
  • If you are taking HAART and your health care provider is concerned that it is no longer working well, especially if your CD4 count is going down. Genotypic resistance testing can help determine if changes are needed in your treatment and if other medicines may work better for you.

What is being tested?

This test checks for mutations in the HIV virus that are known to be resistant to antiviral medicines.

What kind of sample is taken?

A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood vessel.

How are the results reported?

Your test result will be reported as one of the following:

  • Susceptible. This indicates that your test results were normal. It means that no detectable HIV mutations that cause resistance to an antiretroviral drug were found. This means that your HIV medicines should work against the HIV virus.
  • Possible resistance or resistant. These results mean that the test found evidence of mutated HIV virus in your body. This tells your health care provider that there are or may be mutations present in the HIV virus that cause resistance to certain HIV medicines.
  • Insufficient evidence. This result indicates that a rare mutation was detected and it is not known if it will cause resistance to HIV medicines.

What do the results mean?

If certain mutations were found, this means that different medicines may be needed to treat your HIV infection.

Note that your test results may be inaccurate if your viral load (HIV-1 RNA) is less than 1,000 copies per milliliter.

Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean.

Questions to ask your health care provider

Ask your health care provider, or the department that is doing the test:

  • When will my results be ready?
  • How will I get my results?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What other tests do I need?
  • What are my next steps?

Summary

  • Genotypic resistance testing is also called HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) drug resistance testing.
  • If you have HIV infection, this blood test may be done to help determine whether the virus in your body has changed (mutated) and is resistant to medicines called HAART, a commonly used treatment for HIV.
  • Talk with your health care provider about what your results mean. If certain mutations were found, this means that different medicines may be needed to treat your HIV infection.
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