Prevalences, genotypes, and risk factors for HIV transmission in South America.
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.
Montano
Silvia M
SM
US Naval Medical Research Center Detachment-Lima, Peru.
Sanchez
Jose L
JL
Laguna-Torres
Alberto
A
Cuchi
Paloma
P
Avila
Maria M
MM
Weissenbacher
Mercedes
M
Serra
Margarita
M
Viñoles
Jose
J
Russi
Jose C
JC
Aguayo
Nicolas
N
Galeano
Adolfo H
AH
Gianella
Alberto
A
Andrade
Ronald
R
Arredondo
Anabella
A
Ramirez
Eugenio
E
Acosta
Maria E
ME
Alava
Aracely
A
Montoya
Orlando
O
Guevara
Angel
A
Manrique
Hugo
H
Sanchez
Jorge L
JL
Lama
Javier R
JR
de la Hoz
Fernando
F
Sanchez
Gloria I
GI
Ayala
Claudia
C
Pacheco
Maria E
ME
Carrion
Gladys
G
Chauca
Gloria
G
Perez
Juan J
JJ
Negrete
Monica
M
Russell
Kevin L
KL
Bautista
Christian T
CT
Olson
James G
JG
Watts
Douglas M
DM
Birx
Deborah L
DL
Carr
Jean K
JK
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
D015686:Gene Products, env