B5701
People with this specific variant in the HLA-B gene develop a severe skin reaction to the anti-HIV medication, abacavir.
Patients must be screened for this variant before being commenced on abacavir.
A blood sample drawn from a vein in your arm.
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A blood sample is obtained by inserting a needle into a vein in the arm.
No test preparation is needed.
Abacavir must never be prescribed to a patient with HLA*B57:01. The presence of this variant is not associated with any other disease.
Abacavir is commonly used as an effective treatment for HIV infection. For patients with the HLA-B*5701 variant, there are other medications which can be used instead of abacavir.
Last Review Date: September 17, 2018