Qiagen introduces HLA-B*5701 test

Qiagen has introduced a new molecular diagnostic test to type the HLA-B*5701 allele, a genetic variation in the human leucocyte antigen system. HIV patients carrying the marker have a 60% higher risk to develop hypersensitivity reaction to GlaxoSmithKline's abacavir, a component of several widely-marketed drugs inhibiting the reverse transcriptase of the HIV virus.

HSR is a serious and sometimes fatal multi-organ syndrome that manifests as fever, respiratory or constitutional symptoms. Last month (Marketletter August 4), US regulators warned health care professionals that serious and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reactions caused by UK drug major GlaxoSmithKline's abacavir were significantly more common in patients with HLA-B *5701.