Epidemiology of HIV-1 subtypes in an urban area of northern Italy.
The distribution of the different subtypes of HIV varies from one region of the world to another. Subtype B is predominant in Europe and the USA, but there has been a gradual increase in non-B subtypes as a result of migration from regions where they are endemic, and this may have important implications for the control of HIV-1. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes in an urban area of northern Italy in the period 1997-2008. Forty-nine (12.2%; 95% CI, 9.00-15.40) of 401 patients investigated carried a non-B subtype, the prevalence of which was 7.7% (95% CI, 4.96-10.44) among native Italians and 55.3% (95% CI, 39.49-71.11) among non-Italians, 1.6% (95% CI, 0.00-3.81) among ex-intravenous drug addicts, 7.6% (95% CI, 1.21-13.99) among homosexual/bisexual men and 20.5% (95% CI, 14.83-26.17) among heterosexuals, 6.8% (95% CI, 3.37-10.23) among Italians infected as a result of sexual contacts in Italy, and 55.0% (95% CI, 33.20-76.80) among Italians infected abroad or by foreign partners. Overall prevalence increased from 2.9% (95% CI, 0.00-6.11) before 1993 to 23.0% (95% CI, 16.31-29.69) in the period 2001-2008. The results demonstrate that there has been an increase in non-B subtypes (especially sexually transmitted infections), particularly among patients infected abroad or by foreign partners.
De Paschale
M
M
Microbiology Unit, Hospital of Legnano, Milan, Italy. massimo.depaschale@ao-legnano.it
Cagnin
D
D
Cerulli
T
T
Mena
M
M
Magnani
C
C
Perini
P
P
Re
T
T
Villa
M
M
Viganò
P
P
Maltempo
C
C
Manco
M T
MT
Agrappi
C
C
Mirri
P
P
Gatti
A
A
Rescaldani
C
C
Clerici
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058889:Molecular Typing; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
D012367:RNA, Viral