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New HIV test allows individualized therapy

The transparent virus

HIV test: Diana Pabilona prepares samples for the new Trugene® HIV-1 Genotyping Test.

The number of people infected with HIV is rising again. What is particularly alarming is that the virus is constantly reinventing itself at a molecular level, changing its genetic code in the process. This is why some medicines may become ineffective. It's a real challenge for the experts at Bayer's Diagnostics Division.

Deciphering the genetic material of the virus

New viruses are constantly being produced in an infection with HIV. The disease-causing pathogen attempts to evade the effect of medicines by mutating. Only pathogens that are already immune to the drug being used actually survive. Each HIV patient has their own individual form of the disease and requires their own individual form of treatment. Bayer’s Trugene HIV-1 Genotyping Test deciphers the genetic material and identifies any resistances of the virus. This allows doctors to react quickly to mutations in the pathogen and change the patient’s medication. Although there is still no cure for AIDS, the progression of the disease can be suppressed and delayed. Read this article (PDF file) to find out more about how the new HIV test makes possible individualized therapy.