Timing the Emergence of Resistance to Anti-HIV Drugs with Large Genetic Barriers
2009

Timing the Emergence of HIV Drug Resistance

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Pankhuri Arora, Narendra M. Dixit

Primary Institution: Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

Hypothesis

The study aims to develop a mathematical model to predict the waiting time for the emergence of HIV genomes that can overcome large genetic barriers to drug resistance.

Conclusion

The model accurately predicts the emergence of resistant HIV genomes and provides insights into the evolutionary processes affecting drug resistance.

Supporting Evidence

  • The model predicts the emergence of resistant genomes in close agreement with experimental observations.
  • Waiting times for the emergence of resistant genomes increase with the genetic barrier of the drug.
  • Recombination accelerates the emergence of resistant strains.

Takeaway

This study created a model to understand how long it takes for HIV to become resistant to new drugs, helping doctors choose better treatments.

Methodology

A mathematical model was developed to analyze HIV dynamics under the influence of antiretroviral drugs, focusing on the emergence of resistant genomes.

Limitations

The model assumes deterministic growth after the emergence of resistant genomes and does not account for all in vivo complexities.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000305

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication