An HIV type 1 epidemic among injecting drug users in the former Soviet Union caused by a homogeneous subtype A strain. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Click here to return to AIDSLINE main menu
DonateNow
Print this Article


An HIV type 1 epidemic among injecting drug users in the former Soviet Union caused by a homogeneous subtype A strain.

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1997 Sep 20;13(14):1195-201. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE /MED97454211
Bobkov A; Cheingsong-Popov R; Selimova L; Ladnaya N; Kazennova E; Kravchenko A; Fedotov E; Saukhat S; Zverev S; Pokrovsky V; Weber J; The D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, Moscow, Russia.

Abstract: Epidemiological data have demonstrated rapid growth of HIV-1 infections among injecting drug users (IDUs) in the Ukraine and Russia, during 1996. Here we describe the results of genetic analysis of isolates derived from 12 HIV-1-infected IDUs in different sites of Russia and the Ukraine. The blood samples were taken within a 1- to 2-month period after the first HIV-1-positive test. The results of the heteroduplex mobility assay as well as gag/env phylogenetic analysis reveal that all sequences belong to gag/env genetic subtype A. Moreover, interpatient genetic distances between the nucleotide sequences encompassing the C2-V3, the V4-V5, and p17-encoding regions within this group were low (the average means were 0.9, 1.3, and 0.4%, respectively). These data show a marked homogeneity of HIV-1, probably spreading during primary infection. It is possible that the current epidemic of subtype A HIV-1 among IDUs in the former Soviet Union is caused by a point source exposure.
Keywords: *Disease Outbreaks *HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY *HIV-1/GENETICS *Substance Abuse, Intravenous/VIROLOGYKWDdiseaseoutbreaksKWDhivinfections/epidemiologyKWDhiv-1/geneticsKWDsubstanceabuse,intravenous/virology
980130
M9811035

Copyright © 1998 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Gill Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Quest Diagnostics, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1998. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1998. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .