title: Prevalences, genotypes, and risk factors for HIV transmission in South America.
abstract: HIV cross-sectional studies were conducted among high-risk populations in 9 countries of South America. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening and Western blot confirmatory testing were performed, and env heteroduplex mobility assay genotyping and DNA sequencing were performed on a subset of HIV-positive subjects. HIV prevalences were highest among men who have sex with men (MSM; 2.0%-27.8%) and were found to be associated with multiple partners, noninjection drug use (non-IDU), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By comparison, much lower prevalences were noted among female commercial sex workers (FCSWs; 0%-6.3%) and were associated mainly with a prior IDU and STI history. Env subtype B predominated among MSM throughout the region (more than 90% of strains), whereas env subtype F predominated among FCSWs in Argentina and male commercial sex workers in Uruguay (more than 50% of strains). A renewed effort in controlling STIs, especially among MSM groups, could significantly lessen the impact of the HIV epidemic in South America.
authors.affiliation: US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment-Lima, Peru.
authors.forename: Silvia M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Montano
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laguna-Torres
authors.forename: Paloma
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuchi
authors.forename: Maria M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Avila
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weissenbacher
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Viñoles
authors.forename: Jose C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Russi
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aguayo
authors.forename: Adolfo H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Galeano
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gianella
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Anabella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arredondo
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Acosta
authors.forename: Aracely
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alava
authors.forename: Orlando
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Montoya
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guevara
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Manrique
authors.forename: Jorge L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Javier R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lama
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de la Hoz
authors.forename: Gloria I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pacheco
authors.forename: Gladys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carrion
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chauca
authors.forename: Juan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Negrete
authors.forename: Kevin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: Christian T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Bautista
authors.forename: James G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Douglas M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: Deborah L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Birx
authors.forename: Jean K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Carr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious; D005260:Female; D015686:Gene Products, env / Q000235:genetics; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D020180:Heteroduplex Analysis; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
chemical_list: D015686:Gene Products, env