Naslov
High prevalence of non-B HIV-1 subtypes in seamen and their sexual partners

Autori
Ramirez-Piedad, Martha Kathleen ; Židovec Lepej, Snježana ; Yerly, Sabine ; Begovac, Josip

Izvornik
Journal of medical virology (0146-6615) 81 (2009), 4; 573-577

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
seamen; HIV; genotypes; Croatia

Sažetak
Travel influences the spread of non-B subtypes of HIV in Europe. The aim of this study was to assess whether the spread of non-B subtypes occurred in Croatia, a country with a low level HIV infection. Phylogenetic analysis of the reverse transcriptase and protease genes was undertaken in 145 Croatian patients with the following risks for HIV-infection: men who have sex with men (n = 64), heterosexual contact (n = 54), intravenous drug use (n = 21), bisexual contact (n = 4) and intravenous drug use plus heterosexual exposure (n = 2). The sample included 25 seamen and 13 steady female sexual partners of seamen. Overall, 38 (26%) of HIV-patients were infected with non-B subtypes. Non-B subtype infections were found only in patients with a possible heterosexual exposure. Non-B infections were most frequent in seamen and their regular female partners (in 27 of 38 seamen and their partners, 71%). The relative distribution of non-B subtypes was as follows: A, 8% ; C, 26% ; F, 3% ; CRF01-AE, 8% ; CRF02-AG, 34% ; CRF05-DF, 5% ; CRF06-cpx, 3% ; CRF10-CD 8% ; and subtype U, 5%. There were altogether 19 heterosexual couples, phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the paired samples were related in all cases. Non-B subtypes were found only in individuals with a heterosexual risk, mainly in seamen and their partners.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA