ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the prevalence of HLA-B*5701 allele in HIV-infected children, andtofind its associationwith Abacavir hypersensitivity. Methods: Children (2 to 18 y) already on,or to be initiated on Abacavir were included for PCR sequencing to detect HLA-B*5701.Outcome measures were: proportion with HLA B*5701 allele and hypersensitivity withAbacavir. Abacavir was stopped if patient tested positive for HLA-B*5701 allele. Results:100 children(median age 11 y) were enrolled; 10 were already on Abacavir. HLA-B*5701positivity was observed in 11 (11%) children. Two of these 11 children developedhypersensitivity after initiation of Abacavir. Abacavir was thereafter stopped in all whotested HLA-B*5701 positive, irrespective of the development of hypersensitivity reaction.Conclusion: HLA-B*5701 allele was present in 11 (11%) of HIV-infected children,of whichtwo developed Abacavir hypersensitivity. None of the patients without the allele developedhypersensitivity.