Misclassification of First-Line Antiretroviral Treatment Failure Based on Immunological Monitoring of HIV Infection in Resource-Limited Settings

Abstract

The monitoring of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who are treated with antiretroviral medications in resource-limited settings is typically performed by use of clinical and immunological criteria. The early identification of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure is critical to prevent morbidity, mortality, and drug resistance. Misclassification of failure may result in premature switching to second-line therapy