Research determines how HIV develops resistance to two common antivirals

A pair of recent studies described how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) develops a resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and zidovudine, commonly known as AZT.

Both determined that HIV mutates constantly, which allows some of its modified forms to continue evading immune cells and antiviral therapies.

The first paper, published in the journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, stated that HIV develops AZT-resistance through mutations of its reverse transcriptase, which is a protein that reads and transcribes viral RNA to create invasive DNA.

Similar findings, presented in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, demonstrated that a particular mutation labeled N3481 is responsible for HIV’s resistance to an NNRTI called nevirapine.

Because of the latter study, HIV testing kit manufacturers are beginning to make N3481 detection tests available.

Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like HIV is essential for preventing their spread. Individuals who suspect they have contracted HIV or another STD may consider using online testing services as a way to discreetly determine the state of their sexual health.