HIV-1 and HIV-2 Infections Among U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers Returning from West Africa.
Background: The risk of acquiring HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections among expatriates in, and travelers to, West Africa is not known. The objective of the study was to examine the risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) infections among Peace Corps volunteers in West Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional serosurvey was carried out in 18 West African countries. Subjects were 2491 returning Peace Corps volunteers. The main outcome measure was seropositivity for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. Results: From March 1988 through February 1993, of 2491 study participants, no HIV-2 infections were detected, but three HIV-1 infections were. All three HIV-1-infected persons reported having had unprotected sex with host-country national partners. Conclusions: Results suggest that although persons having unprotected sex with partners from countries with a high prevalence of HIV-1 are at risk for acquiring the infection, casual transmission of HIV-1 or HIV-2 is extremely unlikely.
Eng
TR
International Health Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Public Health Service, Atlanta, Georgia and Office of Medical Services, U.S. Peace Corps., Washington, District of Columbia.
O'Brien
TR
Bernard
KW
Schable
CA
van der Vlugt T
Holmberg
SD