Publications

High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus Drug Resistance Mutations to Lamivudine among People with HIV/HBV Coinfection in Rural and Peri-Urban Communities in Botswana

Viruses

This article investigates the prevalence of drug resistance mutations to a medication called lamivudine among people who are coinfected with HIV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) in rural and peri-urban areas of Botswana. Lamivudine is commonly used to treat both HIV and HBV infections.

The study found a high prevalence of drug resistance mutations to lamivudine among individuals with HIV/HBV coinfection in these communities. This means that the virus has developed mutations that make it resistant to the effects of the medication, potentially reducing its effectiveness in treating the infections.

This finding raises concerns about the management of HIV/HBV coinfection in Botswana and highlights the importance of regularly monitoring for drug resistance and considering alternative treatment options for affected individuals.

Overall, the study underscores the need for ongoing research and efforts to address drug resistance in HBV among people with HIV/HBV coinfection, especially in resource-limited settings like rural and peri-urban communities in Botswana.

Disclaimer: This lay summary was generated by AI and has not been approved by any of the authors yet.

SANTHE is an Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) flagship programme funded by the Science for Africa Foundation through the DELTAS Africa programme; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Gilead Sciences Inc.; and the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard.