摘要:

Objectives:To determine HIV-1envandgagsubtypes in male homosexual and heterosexual populations in Cape Town, South Africa.Design:DNA was isolated from blood originating from 61 patients attending local clinics. Samples were divided according to presumed mode of transmission: male homosexual (n = 26), heterosexual/vertical (n = 32), blood transfusion (n = 1) and unknown (n = 2).Methods:Proviral HIV-1 DNA was subtyped by heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) based on the 700 base-pair V3-V5 region of theenvgene (n = 47) or by sequence analysis of the p17 region of thegag gene(n = 33), or both. For HMA, reference plasmids were constructed containing the V1-V5envregion sequences (1.2-kb) representative of local subtypes. Subtype designation of reference subtypes was confirmed by sequence analysis of the V3-loop region.Results:Analysis of the partialgagsequences and HMA of the V3-V5envregion identified three subtypes: B, C and D. A fourthenvsubtype, subtype E, was also identified by HMA. Subtypes were found to segregate according to mode of transmission, with subtype B viruses found in 96% (25 out of 26) of the male homosexual group and subtype C viruses found in 81% (26 out of 32) of the heterosexual/vertical transmission group. Subtype B viruses were also found in four heterosexual patients, one patient infected by blood transfusion and in two patients with unknown mode of transmission. Subtype D viruses were found in one male homosexual patient and one heterosexual patient. A subtype E virus was identified in a heterosexual patient. No discrepancy was found in subtype designation in samples analysed in both between thegagandenvregions (n = 19).Conclusions:Subtype B viruses were associated with male homosexual transmission and subtype C viruses with heterosexual transmission, suggesting two independent epidemics. This data may have implications in the selection of appropriate vaccines for different risk groups in the country.

ISSN:0269-9370    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Objective:To reconstruct past HIV-1 incidence and identify risk factors for HIV-1 seroconversion among female commercial sex workers in a semi-rural setting in northern Thailand.Design:Retrospective cohort of sex workers attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic at Mae Chan District Hospital, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.Methods:Information including demographic data, HIV-1 antibody testing and STD diagnosis was collected on 821 sex workers attending the STD clinic from 1989 through 1993. HIV-1 incidence among initially HIV-1-seronegative sex workers who underwent repeat HIV-1 antibody testing during follow-up was determined and possible predictive factors for seroconversion including diagnosis of other STD were examined.Results:HIV-1 seroprevalence among 556 sex workers who underwent antibody testing was 52%, rising from 29% at initial test in 1989 to 53–63% for 1990–1993. Among 96 initially HIV-1-negative sex workers who underwent repeat testing, 64 HIV-1 seroconversions occurred, giving an incidence rate of 12.6/100 person months (PM). Incidence increased from 12.0/100 PM for 1989 and 1990 to 17.0/100 PM for 1991, with a subsequent decline to 9.3/100 PM for 1992–1993. The cumulative risk of seroconversion 6 months following initial negative HIV-1 antibody test was 57%. There were higher rates among younger sex workers (14-19 years old) and those from Hilltribes, but only a diagnosis of chancroid was significantly associated with HIV-1 seroconversion (P= 0.014).Conclusion:An explosive epidemic of HIV-1 occurred among sex workers in a semi-rural area of northern Thailand from 1989. These HIV-1 incidence estimates, which are among the highest rates of sexual transmission ever reported, highlight the extreme vulnerability of female sex workers to HIV infection, even in a non-urban setting.

ISSN:0269-9370    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Objectives:To evaluate the effect of the 1993 European AIDS definition on reducing pre-AIDS mortality and to what degree an earlier diagnosis can be made.Design:Prospective observational study.Methods:All patients diagnosed between January 1993 and December 1994 and reported to the National AIDS Registry from four Italian regions, who met only the new criteria for the 1993 case definition (AIDS-1993) were studied. Follow-up of patients who did not eventually meet the 1987 definition (AIDS-1987), or had not died from other causes (pre-AIDS-1987 death), was censored at the last available clinical visit before 1 April 1996. We analysed the data using Kaplan-Meier nonparametric survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model.Results:A total of 74 (4.1%) individuals met only the new criteria. Of these, 49 (62.2%) were men, 42 (56.8%) had pulmonary tuberculosis, 22 (29.7%) had recurrent bacterial pneumonia, and 10 (13.5%) had cervical cancer. During followup, 35 (45.3%) individuals developed an AIDS-1987 disease, and 10 (13.5%) died without fulfilling the AIDS-1987 definition. Pre-AIDS-1987 death accounted for 22.2% (10 out of 45) of the subsequent outcomes observed prior to 1 April 1996. Using Kaplan-Meier technique, we estimated that after 9.8 months 50% of these individuals were diagnosed with AIDS-1987 disease, or died without such a diagnosis. Individuals with lower CD4+ count at the time of the AIDS-1993 diagnosis progressed more rapidly to AIDS-1987 than those with a higher count. In contrast, pre-AIDS-1987 mortality was strongly associated with injecting drug use, whereas no association was found with CD4+ count.Conclusions:Approximately 50% of individuals with one of the three new AIDS-defining diseases will develop an AIDS-1987 disease or will die within 1 year. Time from AIDS-1993 to AIDS-1987 disease is strongly associated with CD4+ count at diagnosis. AIDS-1993 diagnosis reduced the pre-AIDS-1987 mortality in injecting drug users. Furthermore, approximately 20% of individuals diagnosed with AIDS-1993 disease are expected to die without developing an AIDS-1987 disease. These data should be useful for correcting the AIDS incidence curve in Europe for the effect of the changes in the AIDS definition.

ISSN:0269-9370    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Objective:To determine whether vaginal douching is associated with HIV infection.Methods:A total of 397 female patients who attended the referral clinic for sexually transmitted diseases in Bangui, Central African Republic, from August 1994 to February 1995, were interviewed regarding sexual behavior, sexual history, and vaginal douching during the previous 3 years. Pelvic examinations were conducted and vaginal and cervical fluids evaluated for genital infections. Blood was drawn for HIV and syphilis serologic testing.Results:The seroprevalence of HIV infection in the study population was 34%. Twenty-one per cent of the 115 HIV-seropositive women had a consistent practice of douching with commercial antiseptics versus 35% of the 223 HIV-seronegative women [odds ratio (OR), 0.6; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4–0.9; after adjusting for lifetime number of sexual partners, marital status, and condom use]. In contrast, a higher percentage of HIV-seropositive than HIV-seronegative women had a consistent practice of douching with a non-commercial preparation (14.8 versus 6.7%; adjusted OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0–3.0).Conclusion:Our results suggest that vaginal douching with non-commercial preparations is associated with an increased prevalence of HIV, whereas douching with commercial antiseptic preparations was associated with a lower prevalence of HIV. The findings from this cross-sectional survey require confirmation in prospective studies.

ISSN:0269-9370    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Objective:To determine the level of and reasons associated with adherence to tuberculosis preventive therapy among asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals in northern Thailand.Design:A prospective cohort study with a 9-month follow-up.Methods:A total of 412 HIV-infected persons were enrolled in a tuberculosis preventive therapy programme in a hospital. A 9-month isoniazid regimen was prescribed. Adherence was determined by pill count. Participants who missed a scheduled appointment for more than a month were interviewed. Five focus group discussion sessions were held among those who successfully completed the therapy.Results:Of the 412 participants, 69.4% (286) completed the 9-month regimen. The adherence rate, defined as the proportion of those who took more than 80% of pills, was 67.5% (n = 278). Sex, source of participants and history of physical symptoms were associated with adherence. A significant portion of defaults took place at the beginning of the therapy. Out-migration, denial of HIV status, and perceived side effects of isoniazid were frequently cited as reasons for non-adherence. For those adhering participants, the acceptance of personal HIV status, concern about children and family, and a good health provider relationship were important reasons motivating adherence. Several reminder systems were developed by the participants.Conclusions:Although an isoniazid preventive therapy programme was shown to be feasible, further adjustments on the selection of participants, enrolment process, and follow-up system based on these findings are necessary to increase the adherence.

ISSN:0269-9370    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0269-9370    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1997

数据来源: OVID