Decline in the HIV-1 isolation rate in Japan: a 12-year observation.
Since 1988, we have isolated HIV-1 from 614 HIV-1-infected persons (total sample=2,785) in Japan. During the past 12 years, we have found a decline in the HIV-1 isolation rate in Japan, with two identifiable turning points, 1991-1992 and 1996-1997. The two turning points correspond to shifts in anti-HIV-1 therapy. These findings suggest that HIV-1 in Japan is currently biologically well controlled, probably due to anti-HIV-1 therapy. On the other hand, this decline is inconsistent with the recent increase of genetic drug-resistant HIV-1 in Japan. Further studies are needed to clarify mechanisms that might explain the discrepancy.
Nakasone
T
T
Vaccine Research and Development Group, AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. nakabone@nih.go.jp
Takamatsu
J
J
Watanabe
K
K
Naganawa
S
S
Somey
K
K
Yoshino
N
N
Kaizu
M
M
Ohsu
T
T
Takizawa
M
M
Izumi
Y
Y
Kawahara
M
M
Hara
T
T
Fujimura
Y
Y
Yamada
K
K
Nagai
Y
Y
Yamazaki
S
S
Honda
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014766:Viremia
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents