HLA-B*5701 genetic screening prior to abacavir prescription in Georgia

A hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir develops in approximately 2-8% of HIV patients receiving this drug and is strongly associated with presence of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*5701. Screening for HLA-B*5701 reduces the risk of developing an abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. The carriage rate of HLA-B*5701 has not been studied in Georgia before 2009. Objective of the study was to determine HLA-B*5701 prevalence in HIV-infected patients in Georgia. One hundred and sixty HIV positive patients attending Georgian Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center in 2009 were recruited for the study. None of the patients had previously been treated with abacavir. Blood samples were collected and screened for HLA-B*5701 prior to abacavir prescription. Of 160 patients recruited 9 tested HLA B*5701 positive - 5.6% (95% CI: 2.6-10.4%). Of these nine patients 7 were males (male prevalence: 6.5%, 95% CI: 2.6-12.9 %) and 2 females (female prevalence: 4.8%, 95% CI: 0.6-16.2%). The first prospective study of HLA-B*5701 prevalence in Georgia show similar results to the results of other studies. Abacavir still remains one of the key drugs of antiretroviral regimens in Georgia and other countries. Therefore, prospective HLA-B*5701 screening should be implemented in all settings where abacavir is widely used to guide selection of ART regimens and to reduce the risk of potentially life threatening hypersensitivity reaction.