HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection in children in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
We conducted a study of 1,003 well and hospitalized children, birth to 5 years old, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to determine the prevalence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection, evaluate risk factors for infection, and describe associated clinical characteristics. The overall seroprevalence was significantly higher for children in the hospital (10.8%) than for those attending the clinic (3.6%). HIV-1 was the predominant virus in both populations, comprising 87% (hospital) and 77% (clinic) of the seroreactive blood specimens. Ninety-two percent of seroreactive children of all ages had a mother who was HIV positive; 77% of seroreactive children greater than or equal to 15 months old had an HIV-infected mother. The remaining seropositive children had a history of receiving blood transfusions. Hospitalized children who were HIV-1 positive or dually seroreactive were more likely to have HIV-related clinical signs and symptoms than HIV-negative children. These findings suggest that HIV infection is an important cause of morbidity for children in Abidjan and that maternal infection is the primary risk factor for both HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection in children. Further evaluation and attention should be given to transmission, clinical characteristics, and the impact of HIV infection in children in West Africa, where both HIV-1 and HIV-2 are present.
Gayle
H D
HD
Division of HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Gnaore
E
E
Adjorlolo
G
G
Ekpini
E
E
Coulibaly
R
R
Porter
A
A
Braun
M M
MM
Zabban
M L
ML
Andou
J
J
Timite
A
A
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003151:Community Health Centers; D007560:Cote d'Ivoire / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1; D015498:HIV-2; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014944:World Health Organization