[Study on the epidemiology and distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 and hepatitis C virus infection among intravenous drug users and illegal blood donors in China].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the epidemiologic features and distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among intravenous drug users and illegal blood donors in China.


METHODS
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and DNA sequencing were used to evaluate the HIV-1 gag p17 and env C2-V3 regions, as well as the HCV 5'NCR and E1/E2 regions.


RESULTS
Among 239 subjects with reported HIV-1 infection, 56.9% (136/239) were seropositive for anti-HCV. Of those, 96.3% (131/136) were co-infected with HCV through intravenous drug use and illegal blood donation. Intravenous drug users in Yunnan, Guangxi and Xinjiang provinces were infected with HIV-1 subtype C and HCV genotypes 1b, 3a, 3b and 4, whereas illegal blood donors in Henan province harbored HIV-1 subtype B' and HCV genotypes 1b and 2a. Five different HIV-1 subtypes were identified among 17 HIV-1-infected individuals from Beijing.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple HIV-1 subtypes and HCV genotypes were identified in China which were associated with several different modes of transmission. Homogeneity within the sequences of the two viruses suggested the recent, but separate, outbreaks of HIV-1 and HCV infection. The distinct distribution patterns of HIV-1 and HCV genotypes in two high-risk groups seemed to be more closely linked to the mode of transmission than to geographic proximity.
Yin
Ning
N
National Center for Sexually Transmitted Disease and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Prevention and Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Mei
Shan
S
Li
Li
L
Wei
Fei-li
FL
Zhang
Lin-qi
LQ
Cao
Yun-zhen
YZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001782:Blood Donors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000097:blood / Q000821:virology*
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies