title: Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 subtypes based on analysis of pol sequences in Slovenia, 1996-2005.
abstract: Various studies have demonstrated the increasing prevalence of non-B HIV-1 subtypes in Western Europe. In contrast, knowledge about the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Central and Eastern Europe is limited. The objective of present study was to investigate the HIV-1 molecular diversity as well as time trends in HIV-1 subtype distribution in Slovenia. A retrospective molecular epidemiological survey was conducted on a cohort representing 88% (131/149) of all HIV-1 infected patients diagnosed between January 1996 and June 2005. The study revealed that subtype B is a predominant HIV-1 subtype in Slovenia (110/131; 84%), although a relatively high proportion (21/131; 16%) of non-B subtypes was found. Among them, a high proportion of recombinant (10/21; 48%) and different unclassified strains (8/21; 38%) were identified. Non-B subtype viruses were predominant among heterosexuals (19/21; 90%) and subtype B viruses among men who have sex with men (84/110; 76%). Importantly, 86% (18/21) of patients infected with non-B subtypes were of Slovenian nationality. In contrast to Western European countries, a significant increase (P = 0.015) in the proportion of men who have sex with men was observed recently among newly diagnosed HIV-1 infected patients in Slovenia.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Dunja Z
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Babic
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poljak
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Seme
authors.forename: Janez
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tomazic
authors.forename: Ludvik
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vidmar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015684:Gene Products, pol / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D017524:Slovenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015684:Gene Products, pol