5th International AIDS Conference


Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

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Retrovirus infection (HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-I) in asymptomatic West Africans living in Spain.

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:170 (abstract no. A.556)
Soriano V, Tor J, Ribera A, Fernandez JL, Muga R, Foz M; Infectious Diseases and Blood Bank Units, Hospital de Badelona "Germans Trias: Pujol". Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain

OBJECTIVE: It has been postulated an African origin of human T-lymphotropic retroviruses. While HIV-1 and HIV-2 produced AIDS, the HTLV-I may be the etiologic agent of a subacute myelopathy and an acute T lymphocytic leukemia. However, the worldwide spread of these viruses may occur by infected African persons which have emigrated to developed countries. We studied the prevalence of HIV-1, HIV-2 and HTLV-I antibodies in West African immigrants of Barcelona, an industrial region of Spain.

METHODS: We studied 102 subjects (98 males and 4 females) who came from Gambia (78), Senegal (22) and Mali (29). They have been living in Barcelona since 1983. Mean age was 26.3. None of them referred risk factors for HIV infection, but more than 70% were heterosexual promiscuous, with frequent sexual intercourse with Spanish prostitutes. Antibodies to HIV-1, HIV-2 and HTLV-I were investigated by ELISA and Western blot was used as confirmatory test in repeatedly reactive samples.

RESULTS: TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME.

CONCLUSIONS: a) Presence of serological markers of HIV-2 and HTLV-I infection (but not HIV-1) in asymptomatic West African residents in Spain. b) Heterosexually promiscuity is involved in all cases of HIV-2 and HTLV-I positive men. As most of Spanish prostitutes are also intravenous drug abusers, we wish to draw attention to the possible role of prostitutes as transmitters of HIV-2 and HTLV-I from subjects from endemic areas.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV-2, HIV-1, Human T-lymphotropic virus 1, HTLV-I Infections, HTLV-I Antibodies, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Prostitution, Blotting, Western, Prevalence, Heterosexuality, Ethnic Groups, Spain, Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Human, Female, Male, ICA5

890604
A556

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