Bridging the Gap: Conference Record [Abstract book, International Conference on AIDS (12th: 1998: Geneva, Switzerland)]

12th World AIDS Conference

Abstracts 13206-13211 127

436* /13206 Correlation between risk factors for HIV-infection
in Russia and HIV-1 subtypes isolated in Russia in
1994-1997
Natalia N. Ladnaia1, V.V. Pokrovski1, A.F. Bobkov2, I.G. Savchenko1,
L.M. Selimova2, E.V. Kazennova1, A.V. Kravtchenko1. 'b.2, 15, Ulitsa Sokolinoi
Gory, Moscow, 105275 Russia AIDS Centre; 2D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology,
Moscow, Russia
Objectives: To estimate the correlation between risk factors for HIV-infection and
HIV-1 subtypes isolated from HIV-positive persons in different regions of Russia
in 1994-1995 and in 1996-1997.
Methods: The analysis of the HIV case reports about risk factors for HIVinfection from different regions of Russia received in Russia AIDS Centre. The
genotyping of HIV-1 was carried out through comparative analysis of heteroduplex
mobility assay confirmed with sequence.
Results: Totally 354 HIV positive Russian citizens were reported in 1994-1995
and 5661 in 1996-1997. Homosexual contact was the main risk factor for 156
(56.1% among HIV-infected with known risk factor) and subtype B was isolated in
14 persons (100% of tested from this group) in 1994-1995 and correspodingly for
124 (3.4%) and in 3 (100%) in 1996-1997. Heterosexual contact was main risk
factor for 109 (39.2% among infected persons with known risk factor) and subtype
B was isolated in 7 cases (58.3% of tested heterosexuals), C- in 3 persons (25%),
G- in 2 (16.7) in 1994-1995. Heterosexual transmission took place in 255 (6.9%)
cases in 1996-1997 and subtype A was found in 36.4%, B in 36.4%, D-9.1%,
E-9.1%, G-9.0% among heterosexuals tested for subtypes. IVDU as main risk
factor was found in 7 persons (2.5%) who had not been tested for subtypes in
1994-1995. IVDU was the main known risk factor for 3251 HIV-positive persons
reported in 1996-1997. Subtype A was found in 32 of them (72.7% of tested) and
envB/gagA recombinant in 12 (27.3% of tested) persons infected in Kaliningrad.
Conclusion: Subtype A become the predominant in Russia and possibly
recombinant form A/B become the predominant in Kaliningrad in 1996-1997
because of a recent introduction and a high speed spreading of these subtypes
in IVDU population. Frequent isolation of subtype A in heterosexuals is explained
with sexual transmission from IVDU.
1[3207 Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Switzerland
Marcia Kalish1, Thomas Stoeckli2, I. Steffen3, T.M. Brown2, P. Erb3,
M.L. Kalish2. 11600 Clifton Rd. MAilstop G19 Atlanta, Gergia 30333; 2Center for
Disease Control & Prevention Atalanta GA; 3 University of Basel, Basel, USA
Objectives: To genetically characterize the HIV-1 strains prevalent in Switzerland; to look for clustering of HIV-1 strains by geographic regions or risk groups;
and to enhance the understanding of the HIV-epidemic in Switzerland.
Methods: 159 convenience samples from HIV-infected individuals were drawn
prospectively between May and August 1996 at four HIV clinics in Basel, Zurich,
St. Gallen and Lausanne. One additional study site in Geneva provided retrospective specimens. The proviral DNA was extracted from peripheral blood
mononuclear cells and amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
342 nucleotides of the V3 and flanking regions of the env gene were sequenced
(ABI, 373A) and analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the neighbor joining program of PHYLIP. The genetic data were reviewed with available
epidemiologic and demographic information.
Results: Of the 159 strains, 152 (96%) were identified as subtype B viruses.
Of the remaining 7 (4%) specimens, 4 were subtype A, 1 was subtype D, and 2
were subtype E viruses. All 7 non-subtype B strains were identified from persons
infected by heterosexual contact. Six out of these 7 viruses were detected in
immigrants from African or Asian countries. No significant clustering of strains
within different study sites or risk groups was found. A silent mutation (LAI env
834) was significantly more frequent in intravenous drug users than homosexual
males (p.- 0.001).
Conclusions: The HIV epidemic in Switzerland was apparently founded with
subtype B viruses similar to those found throughout western Europe and the
United States. Subtypes other than B have been identified, but have not firmly established themselves in the Swiss epidemic. No phylogenetically distinguishable
strains can be described between the major risk groups or different geographic
regions at this point in the epidemic.
13208 Reported AIDS and HIV infection cases in Slovenia
Ludvik Vidmar1, I. Klavs2, J. Tomazic1, M. Poljak3, S. LeviCnik Stezinar4,
L. Kristandib3, Z. Kastelic2. Infectious Diseases Hospital Japleva 21000
Ljubljana; 2lInstitute of Public Health, Ljubljana; 3Microbiology Institute Ljubljana;
4Institute of Transfuziology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Objectives: We obtain information on distribution of AIDS and diagnosed HIV
infection cases according to demographic, behavioural and geographic characteristics and monitor HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Methods: We regularly collect, analyse and interpret information on reported
cases. Reporting of all diagnosed AIDS and HIV infection cases is obligatory

according to Communicable Diseases Law. The 1993 European AIDS case
definition is used.
Results: A total of 62 AIDS cases (55 males and 7 females) have been reported
in Slovenia between 1986 and 1997. The annual AIDS reported incidence rate
varied between 0.5 to 7 per million population, being only 0.5 per million in 1997. A
total of 60 cases occurred in adults (54 males and 6 females) and 2 in children (1
male and 1 female). The majority of adult patients were men having sex with men

(33-55%). Five of 6 heterosexually acquired AIDS cases among men were linked
to having had sex in countries with high prevalence of HIV infection (Africa). All
3 male injecting drug users injected abroad. Of 7 female cases, 5 were acquired
heterosexually and I had a history of injecting drug use abroad. In addition, a total
of 64 HIV infection cases without developed AIDS were reported.
Conclusions: The Slovenian HIV/AIDS epidemic is rather minor. The annual
AIDS reported incidence rate varied between 0.5 to 7 per million population during
1986 to 1997, being only 0.5 per million in 1997. Among the cumulative total of
62 reported AIDS cases the majority occurred in men having sex with men. In
addition a cumulative total 64 HIV infection cases without developed AIDS were
reported. Although rapid and extensive spread among injecting drug users has
not started, we fear it in the future.
13209 HIV-1 sero- and genotyping of HIV/AIDS outbreak in
Ukraine IVDUs population: Different subtypes in different
cities
Alexie A. Nabatov1, A.E. Masharsky2, S.V. Verevochkin1, E.V. Maksimenok3,
N.P. Tchentsova3, Y.V. Kobyscha3, A.P. Kozlov'. 17 Pudozhskaya St., Research
Institute of Pure Biochemicals St. Petersburg; 2Biomedical Center for AIDS
Problem St. Petersburg, Russia; 3Natl. Com. for Prev. Drug Abuse AIDS, Kiev,
Ukraine
Objectives: To study HIV-1 subtypes among IVDUs in Ukraine; to compare
monomeric and multiple antigen peptides (MAP) with a branching lysyl core for
HIV-1 serotyping.
Methods: The samples of sera were tested by ELISA for reactivity with both
monomeric and MAP V3 peptides corresponding to the different HIV-1 subtypes.
The data were analyzed by clustering techniques. Genotypes of some samples of
different serotypes were determined by sequensing of cDNA or DNA V3 regions.
Results: Cluster analysis of ELISA data discovered 2 different groups of sera:
group B - highly reactive with subtype B peptides and group A/C - with subtypes
A and C. Analysis of regional distribution of different serotypes has discovered
that group B includes 90% of sera from city of Nikolaev and group A/C includes
77% of sera from Donetsk and 90% from Odessa. Sera from other regions of
Ukraine belong to both groups. The serotype obtained on the MAP panel showed
the better conformity to genotype than monomeric ones. Comparison of ELISA
data on monomeric and MAP V3 peptides showed similar patterns of reactivity in common. Results obtained on MAP panel weremore reproducible. Sera
with low reactivity with monomeric peptides showed greater reactivity on MAP
panel.
Conclusion: 1) HIV-1 infection outbreak among IVDUs in Donetsk and Odessa
is caused by HIV-1 subtypes A and/or C, and in Nikolaev - by subtype B. These
observations point to independent and multiple penetrations HIV-1 into IVDU
population in Ukraine 2) MAPs have advantages for HIV-1 serotyping compared
to monomeric peptides.
13210 Analysis of epidemic situation concerning
HIV-infection/AIDS in Ukraine and attempts of its
stabilization
Alla M. Shchecrbinskaya, J.V. Kruglov, N. Fedoruk. 'Chief of the Ukrainian AIDS
Center, Spusk Protasov Har 4, Kiyv 252038; 2Ukrainian AIDS Prevention Center,
Kiyv, Ukraine
Objective: To characterize the HIV-infection and AIDS epidemy in Ukraine in
1987-1997.
Design: HIV-infection epidemiological study.
Results: HIV-infection epidemy in Ukraine began 10 years ago. Two epidemic
waves are described; the 1st one (1987-1994) was accompanied by slow, mostly
sexual HIV transmission among homo- and heterosexual population groups with
promiscuous sex orientation, 398 HIV-infected persons including also 24 AIDS
patients having been registered during this period. The second wave began in the
last of 1994 because of the HIV penetration into the injection drug users population. In 1995-1997 the number of HIV-infected persons was already 30,000, about
80% among them (68% of these persons are men and 32% are women) being
drug users aged mostly 15-29. In Ukraine there are already 390 AIDS patients.
Many children (290) are born by HIV-infected mothers. High HIV infection risk
regions due to local narcotic sources are found. The National Program of AIDS
Prevention was elaborated and takes now root; some pilot programs aiming to
decrease the HIV danger act now in our towns.
Conclusion: The HIV/AIDS epidemy is shown to develop without ceasing in
Ukraine, the situation being a very dangerous one. The preventive actions are
thought to yield their results in future.
| 13211 | Prevalence of different HIV subtypes in Moscow
Sergei V. Verevochkin', A.A. Nabatov1, A.E. Masharsky2, A.Y.A. Olshansky3,
G.Y.A. Pankova3, V.A. Golikov3, A.D. Kozlov4. 17, Pudozhskaya St., Research
Institute of Pure Biochemical St. Petersburg; 2Biomedical Center of AIDS

Research, St. Petersburg; 3Moscow City AIDS Center, Moscow; 4Research Inst.
Pure Biochemicals, St. Petersburg, Russia
Objectives: To determine the distribution of HIV-1 subtypes in Moscow.
Methods: More than 150 sera from HIV-infected Moscow citizens were
serotyped in ELISA with the panel of V3 multiple antigen peptides (MAPs).
The data were analyzed by clustering techniques.