[HLA-B*5701 and abacavir hypersensitivity reaction]

Abstract

A potentially life-threatening hypersensitive reaction occurs in association with initiation of HIV nucleoside analogue abacavir therapy in 4 to 8% of patients. Preliminary studies appear to confirm the role of the immune system in abacavir hypersensitivity. The reaction is possibly the result of presentation of drug peptides onto HLA, that may induce a pathogenic T-cell response. Hypersensitivity reaction to abacavir is strongly associated with the presence of the HLA-B*5701 allele and prospective HLA-B*5701 genetic screening has now been instituted in clinical practice to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity reaction.