What is drug resistance surveillance (VARHS)?
Objective: Variant, atypical and resistant HIV surveillance (VARHS) is an expanded HIV/AIDS surveillance activity funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The objectives of VARHS are to monitor the frequency of important antiretroviral resistance mutations, follow the outcomes of those with and without mutations, and measure the prevalence of different HIV-1 viral strains/types. Methods: VARHS uses genotypic tests to determine viral subtype and the presence of any drug resistant mutations. Leftover sera from HIV positive diagnostic specimens are collected from labs for genotype testing. Additionally, results from clinical practice are also collected from providers and labs. Eligibility for VARHS includes a recent confidential HIV test, being newly diagnosed with HIV (no previous positive tests more than 90 days prior), and being antiretroviral-naïve. Results are returned to the clinician ordering the HIV test so that each individual may have their genotype result
