Application for HIV drug resistance testing

Clinical description

• Patients on DTG- and PI-based regimens who don’t re-suppress below 1000 copies/ml after an

initial high VL despite good adherence need a genotype sample for resistance testing.

• Contact the National HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) Expert Committee (either through DHA or

sending an email to 3rdlineart@lighthouse.org.mw) for a copy of the HIVDR testing application form (see Form 1 on page 135 in the Appendix). You can also access the application form from the DHA website https://dms.hiv.health.gov.mw or through your district ART coordinator.

• Follow the instructions on the application form and ensure that the application form is completely

filled before sending it to the expert committee.

• The expert committee will advise if a genotype sample needs to be collected. Genotyping is only

possible if the current VL is 1000+ and will be more reliable from 5000+.

• The genotype result can only be interpreted correctly if the patient has been taking their ARVs

consistently for 2-3 months before the sample was collected.

• Maintain the current regimen until genotyping results are available.
• Follow the regimen recommendations from the National HIVRDR expert committee.