Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Romania has some distinct particularities: recognised only in 1989-1990, it is revealed in more than 90% of cases in children, more than 80% of them born in 1988-1989; the vertical transmission is low (less than 5% of cases), while horizontal transmission through blood and blood products is incriminated only in less than 15% of patients. Therefore the origin of this pediatric epidemic remains obscure. Objective: The purpose of the study is to characterise the spectrum of virus strains isolated from Romanian children, who acquired the infection through horizontal transmission, in order to evaluate the probability of infection through injection with unsterilised needles and syringes.Material and Methods: In 30 HIV-1 seropositive children, selected from various districts of the country a cluster analysis of V3 - loop by a peptid - Elisa method was performed. Results: The results ascertained unimportant heterogenity of the isolated subtypes: A - 3,33%, 8 - 29,97%, B/E - 9,99%, C - 3,33%, D/E - 13,32%, E/A - 3,43%, E - 33,34%,F - 3,33%. At those having the same subtype it could be denied the possibility of reciprocal infection or the transmission in the same medical institution; two HIV-positive brothers have two different clusters of HIV - 1. Conclusions: The idea of an unique source of infection is improbable and questions about the origin of HIV-1 infection in Romania remain to be pertinently answered.

*HIV Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY

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