Open AccessHigh Frequency of Non-B Subtypes in Newly Diagnosed HIV-1 Infections in Switzerland
Author(s) -
Jürg Böni,
Halina Pyra,
Martin Gebhardt,
Luc Perrin,
Philippe Bürgisser,
L Matter,
Walter Fierz,
Peter C. Erb,
Jean-Claude Piffaretti,
Elisabeth I. Minder,
Peter J. Grob,
J Burckhardt,
Marcel Zwahlen,
Jörg Schüpbach
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.162
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1944-7884
pISSN - 1525-4135
DOI - 10.1097/00126334-199910010-00010
Subject(s) - transmission (telecommunications) , polymerase chain reaction , epidemiology , virology , molecular epidemiology , confidence interval , medicine , sexual transmission , heterosexuality , viral disease , heteroduplex , biology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immunology , genotype , genetics , homosexuality , gene , gender studies , microbicide , sociology , electrical engineering , engineering
HIV-1 subtypes were determined in newly diagnosed residents of Switzerland. Blood was anonymously collected from patients with a first confirmed positive HIV-1 test result. Viral DNA from the env V3-V5 region was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and screened for subtype B by heteroduplex mobility assay. All amplicons not identified as B were sequenced. From November 1996 to February 1998, 206 samples were analyzed. Main transmission risks were unprotected heterosexual (55.7%) or homosexual (27.1%) sexual contact or intravenous drug use (12.9%). Subtype B dominated in patients of Swiss, other European, American, or Asian citizenship; particularly high frequencies were found in homosexuals (97%) and drug users (94%). Non-B subtypes including A, C, D, E, F, G, H, a possible B/F recombinant, and a sequence related to J were present in 28.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.9%-35.0%). Non-B were frequent in African citizens (95%), heterosexually infected individuals (44%), and women (43%). Heterosexually infected Swiss males harbored non-B strains in 18% and females in 33%. The results document a change in the epidemiology of newly diagnosed HIV-1 infections in Switzerland: predominance of heterosexual transmission and a high frequency of non-B subtypes.