Comparison of HIV antibody profiles in intravenous drug users and individuals infected by the sexual route.
HIV-1 antibody patterns in two groups, those infected by the intravenous route (IV drug users) and those infected by the sexual route (prostitutes, male homosexuals and sexually transmitted disease patients) were compared using the Western blot technique. A total of 160 cases were studied. The intravenous drug user (IVDU) group appeared to respond to fewer antibody markers than the sexually infected group, the difference being significant for markers p31, p51, p55, p66, gp41 and gp120. Furthermore, a higher proportion (63%) of the sexually infected group carried antibodies to all Western blot markers as compared to the IVDU group (49%).
Subramaniam
S
S
Division of Virology, Institute for Medical Research, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Balasubramaniam
V
V
Sinniah
M
M
Thayan
R
R
Lim
L Y
LY
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission*; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
D015483:HIV Antibodies