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Association between heterosexual exposure and infection with B/C and C subtype HIV-1 in Southern Brazil
Abstract Content:
Background:
Subtype C is the predominant global strain of
HIV-1, in many countries overtaking a preexisting epidemic strain. Reasons for
this may include founder effect, segregation of subtypes within non-overlapping
sociodemographic groups, or biological properties favoring heterosexual transmission
of subtype C. It has been difficult to distinguish among these in previously
studied settings. Projeto AMPLIAR is
studying an explosive subtype C epidemic in the southern Brazilian state of Rio
Grande do Sul.
Methods: Socio-demographic and risk behavior data were collected prior to counseling from consenting VCT clients ≥ 16 years old at 4 testing sites. HIV status was determined by a reference standard including a 4th generation EIA, HIV NAAT, and follow-up serology (if initially positive). Population pol sequences were analyzed using multiple subtyping tools (Rega,RIP3.0,NCBI,STAR).
Results: From 10/2004 through 11/2008 4584 clients were evaluated, with 731 (15.9%) HIV+. Of these, 333 were subtyped (35% C, 34% B/C recombinants, 24% B, and 7% F/F recombinants). The 113 B/C viruses showed 62 distinct patterns of recombination: 44 were unique forms, 5 were CRF31, and 64 fell into 17 novel groups. Subtyping and behavioral data were available on 221 participants. Odds of subtype C vs. B infection were much higher in heterosexuals, when compared to MSM (AOR 4.7 (1.6-13.8)), adjusting for sexual exposure, age, schooling, and race. Adjusted odds of infection with BC recombinants vs. B were also higher among heterosexuals than MSM (AOR 3.4 (1.07-11).
Conclusions: In a region with co-circulating subtypes, C-containing virus accounted for 69% of infections. The prevalence and diversity of BC recombinants suggests extensive mixing, yet both pure C and C-containing viruses are strongly and consistently associated with heterosexual exposure. This association is not explained by sociodemographic factors. These observations suggest a biological contribution to the transmission efficiency of C-containing virus, although a contributing founder effect cannot be ruled out.
Methods: Socio-demographic and risk behavior data were collected prior to counseling from consenting VCT clients ≥ 16 years old at 4 testing sites. HIV status was determined by a reference standard including a 4th generation EIA, HIV NAAT, and follow-up serology (if initially positive). Population pol sequences were analyzed using multiple subtyping tools (Rega,RIP3.0,NCBI,STAR).
Results: From 10/2004 through 11/2008 4584 clients were evaluated, with 731 (15.9%) HIV+. Of these, 333 were subtyped (35% C, 34% B/C recombinants, 24% B, and 7% F/F recombinants). The 113 B/C viruses showed 62 distinct patterns of recombination: 44 were unique forms, 5 were CRF31, and 64 fell into 17 novel groups. Subtyping and behavioral data were available on 221 participants. Odds of subtype C vs. B infection were much higher in heterosexuals, when compared to MSM (AOR 4.7 (1.6-13.8)), adjusting for sexual exposure, age, schooling, and race. Adjusted odds of infection with BC recombinants vs. B were also higher among heterosexuals than MSM (AOR 3.4 (1.07-11).
Conclusions: In a region with co-circulating subtypes, C-containing virus accounted for 69% of infections. The prevalence and diversity of BC recombinants suggests extensive mixing, yet both pure C and C-containing viruses are strongly and consistently associated with heterosexual exposure. This association is not explained by sociodemographic factors. These observations suggest a biological contribution to the transmission efficiency of C-containing virus, although a contributing founder effect cannot be ruled out.