Rapid HCP5 single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping: a simple allele-specific PCR method for prediction of hypersensitivity reaction to Abacavir.

Background: The most important factor limiting the success of an antiretroviral therapy is toxicity. The HLA-B*5701 allele is predictive of hypersensitivity reaction to Abacavir, and this gene is in a perfect linkage disequilibrium with the rs2395029 SNP present in the HCP5 gene.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from blood obtained from 201 unrelated healthy Argentinean volunteers. The DNA was subjected to an allele-specific PCR method. Sequencing was performed to validate the test results.

Results: We were successful to amplify specific fragment of interest from the DNA samples. The method is easy, specific and reproducible.

Conclusions: The application of this methodology is a rapid and simple method to detect the HCP5 polymorphism (rs2395029) previous to administration of Abacavir in patients with HIV infection.