AZT-resistant HIV seen.AZT-resistant HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. seen Marking a potentially significant setback in the battle against AIDS, the AIDS-causing virus, HIV, has in some patients become resistant to the only drug so far FDA-approved to combat the fatal disease. At least 11 AIDS patients who took zidovudine zidovudine /zi·do·vu·dine/ (zi-do´vu-den) a synthetic nucleoside (thymidine) analogue that inhibits replication of some retroviruses, including the human immunodeficiency virus; used in the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS. , or AZT AZT or zidovudine (zīdō`vy  dēn'), drug used to treat patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS; also called , for at least six months now harbor HIV strains showing significantly reduced sensitivity to the drug in laboratory tests. The findings were made public this week by the drug's manufacturer, Burroughs Wellcome Co. of Research Triangle Park Research Triangle Park, research, business, medical, and educational complex situated in central North Carolina. It has an area of 6,900 acres (2,795 hectares) and is 8 × 2 mi (13 × 3 km) in size. Named for the triangle formed by Duke Univ. , N.C., in a letter to more than 8,000 physicians. Details will appear in the March 31 SCIENCE. While the development of resistance was not entirely unexpected, it highlights an area of growing concern to researchers in the fledgling field of antiviral drugs Antiviral Drugs Definition Antiviral drugs are medicines that cure or control virus infections. Purpose Antivirals are used to treat infections caused by viruses. (SN: 2/18/89, p.110). Researchers reviewing the data recommend no immediate changes in treatment. But once other AIDS drugs become approved, they say, combination treatments may help slow the development of drug resistance. Clinical trials of several such combinations are already underway. |
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