Value of the HLA-B*5701 Allele to Predict Abacavir Hypersensitivity in Spaniards

The use of abacavir (ABC) may be associated with a hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) that requires discontinuation of the drug. The HLA-B*5701 allele has been linked to this HSR. Information on the strength of this association across distinct geographic regions and ethnicities is scarce. We tested HLA-B*5701 in 53 Spaniards infected with HIV who received ABC treatment. The presence of HLA-B5701 had strong positive and negative predictive values for ABC HSR, 92% and 63%, respectively.