HIV/AIDS

The global HIV drug resistance network

HIVResNet

The Global HIV Drug Resistance Network was initially developed by WHO in collaboration with the International AIDS Society.

WHO HIVResNet is comprised both of a network of countries and affiliated institutions implementing the WHO HIVDR strategy, and a network of accredited laboratories who perform quality assured genotyping to support HIVDR surveillance and monitoring in those countries. Through the steering committee and the working groups, it also serves advisory and evaluation functions to the WHO HIV drug resistance team and to countries and regions implementing the strategy.

Overall objectives
  • The assessment of the geographic and temporal trends in HIV drug resistance in HIV-infected people, through a dynamic and collaborative global network of institutions, laboratories and investigators.

  • The better understanding of the determinants of HIV drug resistance and the identification of ways to minimize its appearance, evolution and spread.

  • The provision of information to international and country-level policy-makers through a rapid and easily accessible dissemination system.

  • The establishment of linkages with institutions and programmes that aim to provide access to ARV drugs, particularly in developing countries.

HIV drug resistance surveillance is a critical adjunct to all country-level ARV access programmes because it will help detect the circulation of resistance strains in the early stages of the implementation of the programme and will direct measures to preserve programme effectiveness.

Specific objectives
  • Develop and maintain a surveillance system that measures HIV drug resistance among untreated patients.

  • Develop and maintain a surveillance system that measures HIV drug resistance among patients with prior treatment history, including women involved in perinatal transmission prevention programmes.

  • Develop standardized protocols for sampling, data collection, laboratory handling, data management and analysis, quality control and ethical issues.

  • Support building surveillance capacity at country and sub-regional levels for countries implementing access to ARV treatment programmes.

  • Promote technology transfer of drug resistance test methodologies to developing countries.

  • Promote education on strategies to reduce the selection of drug resistant virus.
Regional summaries and recommendations

November 2009 steering committee meeting


November 2008 steering committee meeting

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