Abacavir hypersensitivity is life threatening and occurs in 5-8% of patients. What gene is implicated?
HLA-B*57:01. It is believed that short peptide fragments of abacavir form a peptide HLA-complex with HLA-B*57:01 which activates CD8+ T cells which then induce a hypersenstivity response. The CPIC & FDA recommends screening for HLA-B*57:01 prior to abacavir initiation.
1. Phillips EJ. Genetic Screening to Prevent Abacavir Hypersensitivity Reaction: Are We There Yet? Clin Infect Disease 2006. https://doi.org/10.1086/504878.
2. Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) https://cpicpgx.org/
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