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Abacavir is an attractive drug for treating HIV-infected patients because it is less likely than older nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors to cause lipodystrophy and other metabolic complications. However, 5% to 8% of patients who take this agent develop a hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) that can be life-threatening if abacavir is continued or if the person is rechallenged with the drug. Previous studies have shown that abacavir HSR is associated with the HLA-B*5701 allele. Now, in a manufacturer-supported trial involving 1956 HIV-infected adults in 19 countries, investigators have examined whether the incidence of abacavir HSR can be reduced by screening for HLA-B*5701 and avoiding the drug in those who test positive.
Participants w…