South Africa improves HIV treatment with faster testing
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Researchers in South Africa developed a new method to improve care for people with HIV whose initial treatment with dolutegravir (DTG) stops working.
A study conducted at Hillbrow Community Health Centre and Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg involved 288 people living with HIV. Instead of immediately ordering costly resistance tests when a patient’s viral load increases, the team first tests whether the patient has been consistently taking their medication.
If the test shows the drug is present in the patient’s blood, it suggests the virus may have developed resistance, and a resistance test is then performed. If the drug is not present, it indicates the patient likely missed doses, meaning resistance is less probable and counseling can address adherence issues. This approach helps doctors quickly determine whether to support patients with their current medication or switch them to a new, more expensive regimen.
The South African Department of Health has already incorporated this strategy into national guidelines for public HIV care. By reducing unnecessary resistance tests, the new method lowered laboratory monitoring costs by 23 percent and ensures public clinics can maintain a consistent supply of HIV medications. Patients benefit from faster, more appropriate care and increased support for treatment adherence.
