title: Male viral load and heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 subtype E in northern Thailand.
abstract: We evaluated the association between HIV-1 RNA copies/mL in men and heterosexual transmission to their female partners among 493 couples in Thailand. Husbands were identified as HIV-positive when they were screened as blood donors; nearly all were infected with HIV subtype E. Wives had no known risks for HIV infection other than sex with their husbands. In multivariate analysis, each log10 increment of HIV RNA in the man was associated with an 81% increased rate of HIV transmission to his wife (odds ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-2.48). No transmission occurred at viral loads below 1094 copies/mL, and a dose-response effect was seen with increasing viral load in the man. In multivariate analysis, a history of a sexually transmitted disease in the man or woman, longer duration of hormonal contraceptive use, and the woman's onset of sexual activity at less than 20 years of age were also associated with increased seropositivity of the wife.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Health Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sodsai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tovanabutra
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Robison
authors.forename: Jeerang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wongtrakul
authors.forename: Supaluk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sennum
authors.forename: Vinai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suriyanon
authors.forename: Duangnapa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kingkeow
authors.forename: Surinda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawichai
authors.forename: Praijitr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tanan
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duerr
authors.forename: Kenrad E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D013785:Thailand; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral