AEGiS-13IAC: Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Russia.

13th International AIDS Conference

Durban, South Africa - July 9-July 14, 2000

Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Russia.

Int Conf AIDS 2000 Jul 9-14; 13:(abstract no. TuOrA414)

Karamov E, Kornilaeva G, Pavlova T, Turgiev A, Nelson K
E. Karamov, Ivanovsky Institute of Virology, 16 Gamaleya Street, Moscow 123098, Russian Federation, Tel.: +7 95 190 3048, Fax: +7 95 190 2867, E-mail: karamov@invir.msk.su

BACKGROUND: Although Russia is currently experiencing the early stage of HIV-1 epidemic, active spread of the virus among IDUs is dramatically changing the epidemiological situation.

METHODS: Sera from 2000 HIV-1-infected patients were tested in ELISA using a set of V3 peptides; 100 PCR-amplified samples of the V3 region of gp120 were sequenced and the sequences, classified.

RESULTS: HIV-1 viruses circulating in Russia belong to A, B, C, D, F, G, and H subtypes. The epidemic was formed by multiple heterogeneous introductions from diverse regions of the world. Subtypes B, C, and G prevailed before 1996. The new epidemic is related to the introduction of HIV-1 subtype A and of a new HIV-1 subtype recombinant, gagA/envB. These two variants of HIV-1, affecting primarily IDUs, account for more than 90% of new cases of the infection. Of note, the epidemic is characterized by founder-effects: differences between viruses isolated in various regions of Russia affects no more than 1-2% of nucleotides.

CONCLUSION: Russia is entering the stage of concentrated, explosive HIV-1 epidemic, and this appears to be the result of a subtype change. The currently prevalent subtype A, accounting for approximately 80% of new cases of infection, actively circulates in the population of IDUs and their sexual partners.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Epidemiology, Molecular, Russia, Sexual Partners, Disease Outbreaks, Variation (Genetics), Polymerase Chain Reaction, Human, genetics
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TuOrA414