An ongoing concern for public health authorities and infectious disease experts is the ability of deadly pathogens to adapt or mutate and become difficult to detect and treat. One of the more clever bugs is the HIV virus, which has numerous strains and subtypes that may elude detection. The problem has intensified as the world continues to shrink.
Many studies have reported that the growing population of immigrants from countries where variant strains are more common has caused a significant increase in newly diagnosed HIV patients infected with variant, possibly drug-resistant strains.
Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study by Columbia University researchers which concludes: “The continuing spread of HIV is causing a world pandemic of unprecedented genetic and geographic complexity. Five HIV subtypes and two circulating recombinant forms have each established a global prevalence greater than 2.5 percent, a level that virtually ensures continued presence in the decades to come.”
Further, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported the estimated prevalence of variant HIV subtypes is about 5 percent. Variant strains of HIV-1 originating in Africa, Asia and Latin America are being detected with greater frequency in the United States, especially New York City and other areas with immigrants from continents where variant subtypes predominate. A major concern is most diagnostic test reagents for HIV have been engineered for the most common HIV subtype B, but due to immigration and frequent international travel the regional balance of HIV subtypes is shifting.
Optimal treatment of HIV infection depends on accurate measurement of viral levels. Patients taking anti-viral drugs to control their HIV infections, therefore, may not be treated effectively if variant HIV subtypes are present. Ongoing, precise measurement of viral levels is required for drug treatment to be effective, and if variant HIV subtypes are present and significantly under-quantified or undetected, therapy could be compromised.
Based on results of several studies, current molecular based diagnostic tests vary in their ability to detect and reliably quantify variant strains of HIV-1 and have been found to under-quantify them.
Source: Abbott Molecular
Dear Helpdesk: Working in a Toxic Health Care Environment
March 28th 2024Dear Helpdesk is your steadfast companion, offering life coaching and workplace advice from 2 seasoned IPs for some of your most challenging real-life situations. Let us help you navigate the intersection between work and life, guiding you to navigate the dynamic world of infection prevention with confidence and grace. This article is on handling a toxic health care environment.
Product Locator: Spring and Early Mother's Day Gift Guide for Infection Prevention Personnel
March 27th 2024Whether it's a spring holiday, birthdays, or no reason at all, infection prevention personnel love to give and receive gifts that help at the end of a stressful day. Infection Control Today® offers some gift ideas for infection prevention personnel and their families.
Catching Up With Vangie Dennis, AORN 2022-2023 President at AORN 2024
March 26th 2024Infection Control Today (ICT) had the privilege of catching up with Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, at the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses' (AORN’s) International Surgical Conference & Expo 2024. As the former president of AORN and an esteemed figure in perioperative services, Vangie Dennis shared insights into her recent endeavors and the exciting new chapter she's embarked upon.
How To Optimize Your Time Management Strategies for the Busy Infection Preventionist
March 25th 2024Is your calendar resembling a chaotic masterpiece of overlapping tasks? Join the club of infection preventionists striving to balance responsibilities. Dive into proven strategies from a fellow infection preventionist to reclaim control of your time, streamline tasks, and boost productivity effectively. This is an IP Lifeline article.