title: HIV type 1 molecular epidemiology among high-risk clients attending the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic in Bangkok, Thailand.
abstract: Several studies have reported an increasing number of non-CRF01_AE infections in high-risk groups in Thailand suggesting a more complex HIV-1 epidemic. This study assessed the complexity of the HIV epidemic among high-risk clients tested for HIV-1 at the Thai Red Cross Anonymous Clinic (TRCAC) between July 1, 2006 and February 28, 2007. HIV-1 genotypes were determined from plasma of infected subjects (n = 401) by the multiregion hybridization assay (MHAbce, v.2). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with HIV prevalence and non-CRF01_AE infection. The estimated overall HIV prevalence was 14.1%: 25.3% among men who have sex with men (MSM), 18.4% among heterosexual women, and 9.6% among heterosexual men. Among the risk factors found to be associated with HIV prevalence were age (25-29 years), risk behavior (MSM), marital status (not single), education (less than high school), and inconsistent condom use. Overall, non-CRF01_AE strains accounted for 18.9% of the infections: 25.3% among MSM and 14.8% and 20.4% among heterosexual women and men, respectively. Our results indicate a concentrated and genetically complex HIV epidemic among Thai MSM. These findings advocate for targeted intervention and prevention measures among high-risk populations in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Retrovirology, Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arroyo
authors.forename: Nittaya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Phanuphak
authors.forename: Somporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krasaesub
authors.forename: Sunee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sirivichayakul
authors.forename: Vatcharain
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Assawadarachai
authors.forename: Kultida
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Poltavee
authors.forename: Tippawan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pankam
authors.forename: Jintanat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ananworanich
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paris
authors.forename: Sodsai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tovanabutra
authors.forename: Gustavo H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kijak
authors.forename: Francine E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: McCutchan
authors.forename: Praphan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phanuphak
authors.forename: Jerome H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Souza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult