14th International AIDS Conference Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. C10696)

Vadrevu R, Vadrevu L, Das K, Saple DG
Sudha skin clinic, Kakinada, India

BACKGROUND: This Study was conducted on the Medical records of 3,500 HIV +ve Patients attending an outpatient clinic in a developing Country over a period of 4 years from 1997 to 2001. The community under study is from an area with low HIV awareness, lack of condom use and high prevalance of sexual promiscuity.

METHODS: Consecutive records of 3,500 HIV +ve people were analysed to assess the relative frequency of HIV-2 infection, Dual infection with HIV 1 & 2 Juxtaposed with clinical progression of disease. An attempt is made to establish the possible cause - effect relationship between occupational group and likely mode of transmission.

RESULTS: [table: see text] Clinically it is observed that of the 48 HIV-2 infections 14 have received a Blood Transfusion. The HIV-2 infection group has maintained a remarkably long latent period some times extending even upto 9 years before the onset of clinical symptoms. The progression in the dual infection group was similar to that of HIV 1 +ve category. The Dual infection group were either CSWs or persons with history of multiple partnerships specially hailing from Transport related Occupation. Only one person from HIV-2 lone infection group has died of CMV disease.

CONCLUSIONS: The low frequency and the slower progression observed are in tune with the natural history of the disease. More studies integrating virologic and clinical parameters are required. A deeper understanding of HIV-2 incidence and progression may hold the key for future therapeutic approaches.

020707
C10696

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