title: Venue-Based Networks May Underpin HCV Transmissions amongst HIV-Infected Gay and Bisexual Men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to investigate the potential influence of venue-based networks on HCV transmission in HIV-positive gay and bisexual men (GBM).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospectively recruited cohort of HIV-infected GBM with recently-acquired HCV infection resident in Melbourne and Sydney. Clinical and demographic data were collected together with blood samples for HCV sequencing. Phylogenies were inferred and clusters of individuals infected with HCV with genetic sequence homology were identified. Venues used for sourcing sexual partners were identified; sourcing partners from the same venue was considered a potential social link. Using the Jaccard similarity coefficient, associations were identified between the network of sites where men sourced sex partners and transmission relationships as defined by phylogenetic clustering.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty individuals were recruited, of whom 62.5% were considered to have sexually- and 37.5% IDU-acquired HCV. Venue use was consistent with men being members of a more sexually adventurous gay community subculture. Six phylogenetically-determined pairs or clusters were identified, comprising fifteen (15/28, 53.6%) individuals. Participants belonging to phylogenetic clusters were observed within the same networks. There was a significant correlation between the network and phylogenetic clustering when both cities were considered simultaneously (p = 0.005), raising the possibility that social connections may be important for HCV transmissions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Venue-based network elicitation is a promising approach for elucidating HCV transmissions amongst HIV-infected GBM. Public health approaches targeting individuals and venues prominent within networks may reduce onward HCV transmission.
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.|Department of HIV/GU Medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, United Kingdom.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Bradshaw
authors: Department of Zoology, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors: Jayna
authors: J
authors: Raghwani
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Brendan
authors: B
authors: Jacka
authors: Burnet Institute, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Sacks-Davis
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Francois
authors: F
authors: Lamoury
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Down
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Garrett
authors: G
authors: Prestage
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Tanya L
authors: TL
authors: Applegate
authors: Burnet Institute, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Hellard
authors: Department of Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors: Joe
authors: J
authors: Sasadeusz
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Gregory J
authors: GJ
authors: Dore
authors: Department of Zoology, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom.
authors: Oliver G
authors: OG
authors: Pybus
authors: The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Gail V
authors: GV
authors: Matthews
authors: St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Danta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000635:transmission*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities