Co-existence of HIV-1 subtypes B' and E infections among Thai injecting drug users.
Subtypes B' and E are the two major subtypes of HIV-1 among injecting drug users (IDU) in Thailand. However, there are not many reports on subtype distribution during the early epidemic. Random blood specimens collected during 1994-2000 from 3,286 IDU at the Thanyarak Hospital were tested for HIV antibody and subtyped by using peptide binding enzyme immunoassay. The prevalence rate of HIV infection was 36.8%. All HIV-seropositive IDU were ascertained for "year of first HIV seropositivity" from their medical records. Of 1,512 HIV-seropositive samples, 1,408 (93.1%) were typeable. During 1987-1988, the proportion of subtype B' was as high as 80% but decreased rapidly to 27.6% during 1999-2000. At the same time, the proportions of subtype E increased correspondingly (Chi-square test for the trend, p < 0.05). The relatively high proportion of subtype E among IDU since an early stage of the epidemic suggests early co-existence of both subtypes and needs further investigation.
National Institute of Health, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Suthon
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Vongsheree
Tipwan
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Phutiprawan
Pongnuwat
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Sri-ngam
Hansa
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Thaisri
Wiroj
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Puangtabtim
Pathom
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Sawanpanyalert
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification*; D003932:Heroin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009892:Opium; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
D003932:Heroin; D009892:Opium