Antiviral Drug Resistance

This advanced topic examines the mechanisms by which viruses develop resistance to antiviral drugs, including mutation of viral enzyme targets (e.g., HIV reverse transcriptase, HBV polymerase, influenza neuraminidase), reduced drug activation, and enhanced drug efflux. It covers the clinical implications, methods for resistance testing (genotypic/phenotypic assays), and strategies to prevent and manage resistance (combination therapy, adherence). For Zambian tertiary students in pharmacology and infectious diseases, this is critical for optimizing treatment regimens, especially for HIV and hepatitis, and is a key focus area in advanced therapeutics.