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Targeted HIV drug resistance testing moves into routine care in South Africa Results of groundbreaking study in Hillbrow and Helen Joseph Hospital change how we manage HIV treatment when standard medications seem to stop working. 25 Septemb

University of the WitwatersrandRef: https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2026/2026-09/targeted-hiv-drug-resistance-testing-moves-into-routine-care-in-south-africa.html

Official source

Source domain: wits.ac.za

Collected on 25 September 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This is a Wits University research news article dated 25 September 2026. It reports results from the ITREMA-2 study at Hillbrow Community Health Centre and Helen Joseph Hospital, where a blood exposure test helped determine whether increased HIV viral load was linked to poor medication intake or drug resistance. It says an adapted version of the strategy has moved into routine public HIV care in South Africa and lowered estimated laboratory monitoring costs.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

routine HIV treatment evaluationOngoing

Adapted reflex testing strategy in public HIV care

People receiving public HIV care who have confirmed virological failure can be assessed with a blood exposure test to determine whether dolutegravir is present and whether a resistance test is needed. The approach helps clinicians distinguish adherence problems from possible drug resistance.

Who it is for
People with HIV in South African public HIV care whose viral load has increased while taking dolutegravir
How to act on it
Attend public HIV care and be assessed at confirmed virological failure; clinicians and nurses use a blood sample for the dolutegravir exposure test and arrange resistance testing when dolutegravir is present but the virus is still growing.

The document's recorded date is 25 September 2026. Confirm on the official source.

Show the line this came from
The South African Department of Health recently implemented an adapted version of the reflex testing strategy in public HIV care.

Facts

Places

City of Johannesburg, Gauteng

Reference

https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2026/2026-09/targeted-hiv-drug-resistance-testing-moves-into-routine-care-in-south-africa.html

Key Takeaways

  • 25 September 2026 - Wits University
  • ITREMA-2 implementation study
  • 288 people with HIV participated
  • Hillbrow Community Health Centre and Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg
  • South African Department of Health implemented an adapted reflex testing strategy in public HIV care
  • Estimated laboratory monitoring costs were 23% lower
  • Study published in The Lancet HIV on 2 September
  • University of the Witwatersrand
  • Wits University
  • South Africa’s National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS)
  • University Medical Center Utrecht
  • The Lancet HIV
  • South African Department of Health
  • Professor Annemarie Wensing
  • Dr Kim Steegen