Emergence of Acquired HIV Drug Resistance Among Individuals Receiving Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy in Uganda: A National Laboratory-Based Survey 2023 - Summary - MDSpire

Emergence of Acquired HIV Drug Resistance Among Individuals Receiving Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy in Uganda: A National Laboratory-Based Survey 2023

  • By

  • Juliet Nkugwa Asio

  • Christine Watera

  • Grace Namayanja

  • Juliana de Fatima da Silva

  • Sherri Pals

  • Deogratius Ssemwanga

  • Grace Sanyu

  • Maria Nannyonjo

  • Usher Kabuga Kaganda

  • Ronald Busobozi

  • Hellen Nansumba

  • Miriam Nabukenya

  • Alisen Ayitewala

  • Mina Ssali

  • Cordelia Katureebe

  • Eleanor Namusoke Magongo

  • Hudson Balidawa

  • Esther Nazziwa

  • Jonathan Ntale

  • Elliot Raizes

  • Du-Ping Zheng

  • Clement Zeh

  • Stephanie Hackett

  • Mary Naluguza

  • Edward Katongole Mbidde

  • Pontiano Kaleebu

  • November 6, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To assess the prevalence of acquired HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) to dolutegravir (DTG) among patients in Uganda receiving DTG-based regimens (DBRs) for at least 9 months, highlighting the importance of this assessment in the context of treatment efficacy.

Key Findings:
  • The prevalence of DTG resistance was 10.1% (95% CI: 6.4%–13.9%) in children and 8.6% (95% CI: 3.9%–13.3%) in adults, higher than the previous year's findings.
  • The increase in resistance indicates a need for improved adherence and early identification of individuals at risk of HIVDR.
Interpretation:

The rising prevalence of DTG resistance among patients on DBRs suggests that while viral load suppression remains high, there is an emerging challenge that could impact long-term treatment efficacy, necessitating urgent public health interventions.

Limitations:
  • The study only included individuals with viral nonsuppression, which may not represent the entire population on DBRs.
  • The reliance on remnant specimens may introduce bias in the sample selection.
  • The sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Conclusion:

The findings underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and intervention strategies to address the emerging resistance to DTG in Uganda.

Original Source(s)

Emergence of Acquired HIV Drug Resistance Among Individuals Receiving Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy in Uganda: A National Laboratory-Based Survey 2023

  • by Juliet Nkugwa Asio, Christine Watera, Grace Namayanja, Juliana de Fatima da Silva, Sherri Pals, Deogratius Ssemwanga, Grace Sanyu, Maria Nannyonjo, Usher Kabuga Kaganda, Ronald Busobozi, Hellen Nansumba, Miriam Nabukenya, Alisen Ayitewala, Mina Ssali, Cordelia Katureebe, Eleanor Namusoke Magongo, Hudson Balidawa, Esther Nazziwa, Jonathan Ntale, Elliot Raizes, Du-Ping Zheng, Clement Zeh, Stephanie Hackett, Mary Naluguza, Edward Katongole Mbidde, Pontiano Kaleebu

  • November 6, 2025

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