Sustained HIV Viral Suppression With Dolutegravir, Tenofovir, and Emtricitabine as Initial Therapy Despite High-Level Transmitted Multiclass Resistance

Multiclass high-level transmitted HIV drug resistance is uncommon, and the selection of the optimal initial antiretroviral drug regimen may be challenging. We report a case of extensive transmitted multiclass resistance successfully treated with dolutegravir, tenofovir, and emtricitabine even though the baseline genotype demonstrated full susceptibility to only 1 drug class, integrase strand transfer inhibitors. Our case highlights both the high resistance barrier of dolutegravir and the residual antiviral activity of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors despite extensive resistance on genotype.

Automated summary

Multiclass high-level transmitted HIV drug resistance is uncommon, but this case highlights the successful treatment with dolutegravir, tenofovir, and emtricitabine even with extensive resistance. It emphasizes the high resistance barrier of dolutegravir and the residual antiviral activity of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.