revertant mutation – this term is used in two ways.
Firstly when referring to a genetic change that shows the virus is returning from a drug resistant mutation back to a wild-type genotype. This can sometimes take several stages. For example, T215E/D/E and S are revertant mutations that can indicate the drug resistant mutation T215Y is being replaced by wild-type (i.e. T215T).
It can also refer to the fitness of a virus. A revertant mutation can refer to an additional mutation that allows the virus to regain viral fitness (most drug mutations also make the vurs less fit). The second example is called a compensatory mutation as is compensates for the reduced fitness caused by the first mutation.
bilirubin – a liver enzyme. Increased levels of bilirubin lead to a yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Bilirubin and side effects
Portacath – a small medical device fitted under the skin that allows injected drugs to have a more direct route to where they are needed.
compensatory mutation – this refer to an additional mutation, usually in the context of the fitness of a virus. For example, the mutations that stop a drug form working often stop the virus from reproducing as well. Additional mutations that return the virus to it’s former fitness are called compensatory mutations. They compensate for the reduced viral fitness. See revertant mutation.
QD (or qd) – a short hand term for medication dosing that means ‘once-daily’.
See also q24H.
