Abstract Book Vol. 2 [International Conference on AIDS (14th: 2002: Barcelona, Spain)]

110 Abstracts WePeC6109-WePeC6113

XIV International AIDS Conference

Conclusions: In Peru the level of the epidemic is "Concentrated" in MSM, the
prevalence in heterosexual is very low, depending on "bridge" groups conformed
mainly by bisexual males and by sexual workers clients in a small proportion, the
dynamics of HIV transmission in heterosexual population is not independent of
what happens in the population CORE. This hypothetical model is the base of the
national plan of Prevention and control of the STI/HIV/AIDS in Peru.
Presenting author: Luis Suarez-Ognio, Camilo carrillo 402, Jesus Maria, Lima
11, Lima, Peru, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected].
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WePeC6109 Trends in prevalence of HIV-1 among pregnant
women in the city of Buenos Aires: results from
antenatal screening, 1998-2001
C.I. Cornelio, S. Belzum, C. Caposiello, N. Meraldi. Hospital Pirovano, olazabal
3650 6 "C", (1430) buenos aires, argentina, Argentina
Background: Seroprevalence of HIV in antenatal screening is used to plan activities and to allocate resources. OBJECTIVES: To describe time trends in prevalence of HIV-1 seropositivity in pregnant women in the city of Buenos Aires (BA)
and to recognize the population's sociodemographic profile.
Methods: Antenatal-hospital-based population was obtained by consecutively
antenatal care attendees at universal (linked) confidential testing; pretest and
posttest counseling were given and data were collected in a standardized questionnaire. Setting: Hospital Pirovano, BA, Argentina, between January 1998 and
December 2001.
Results: The prevalence of HIV-1 was determined from 5,620 samples.HIV-1
seropositivity was confirmed in 17 samples (0.32%, 95% confidence interval [Cl]
0.23-0.39).Point prevalence for the residents of outer BA did not change with
time(p=0.6). Overall prevalence showed a slight but significant rise (p=0.04), from
0.28%(Cl: 0.26-0.30) in 1998 to 0.45%(CI 0.34-0.54) in 2000, consistent with a
slowing of the rise in inner BA over that period. When data were evaluated according to residence area, the risk of being infected did not differ significantly (OR:
1.13, Cl: 0.83-1.39, p>0.5). Prevalence according to age categories was significantly smaller in the youngest (less than 20 years old), 0.16% (1/613, p=0.02);
however, there was no clear evidence of change in seroprevalence over the period
in any age group. Socio-demographic characteristics, size and tested proportions
did not show significant differences (p >0.5) over time. Some slight decline in
the overall prevalence from 2001 should be evaluated further. 84% of the studied population corresponded to low socio-economic class and screening uptake
covered 87% of hospital deliveries.
Conclusions: Time trends, mainly in the area of inner BA, have changed over 4
years. Socio-demographic indicators could be sources of bias. Overall prevalence
should be integrated to other sources of information.
Presenting author: cecilia cornelio, olazabal 3650 6 "C", (1430) buenos aires,
argentina, Argentina, Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail:
ceciliaic @yahoo.com.ar
WePeC61 101 Profile of patients attending the Dermatology
outpatient department at a public Hospital
Mumbai, India
H.R. Jerajani, M. Setia, R. Dhurat, S. Teltumde, S. Mamidwar. LTM Medical
College and LTMG Hospital, Mumbai, India
Objectives: All the patients that had clinical indicators for HIV were evaluated at
the department from June 1998 through June 2001.
Methodology: A detailed history, thorough clinical examination and necessary investigations were done and accordingly the patients were categorized in groups
based on their presentations. They were tested by two different ELISA methods
for HIV antibodies after pretest counseling.
Results: A total of 3129 patients were tested. 76% men, 23% women and 1%
transgenders comprised the total cases evaluated. The overall HIV seropositivity
was 24% and VDRL positivity was 8%. 32% (379/1185) men were positive in the
age group of 25-35 years and 21% (215/1016) in the age group of 19-25 years.
The seropositivity amongst various clinical indications was;
Groups Voluntary testing STIs Herpes Tuberculosis Candidiasis
(with H/O exposure) zoster
HIV positivity 21% (220/1008) 23% (131/568) 54% (98/181) 33% (5/15) 22% (5/23)
Groups Drug abuse H/O child Chronic Spouse H/O blood
sex abuse diarrhoea tested positive transfusion
HIV positivity 33%2/6 0/4 17% (1/6) 78% (75/96) 73% (8/11)
Conclusion: Of the clinical markers patients suffering from Herpes zoster had
a high seropositivity. We had high seropositivity in health seeking population of

voluntary test seekers. The productive age group 19-35 years had the highest
seropositivity, thus forecasting economic complications for the family and the society as a whole.
Presenting author: Hemangi Jerajani, Room No 453, $th floor, College Building,
LTM Medical College and LTMG hospital, Sion, Mumbai, 400 022, India, Tel.: +91
22 4043732, Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]

WePeC61 11 Emerging concentrated HIV epidemic in Estonia
K.K. Kutsar. Hea/th Protection Inspectorate, 81 paldiski mnt, 10617, 10617,
tallinn, Estonia
Background: In 1988-1999 the notified HIV infection incidence rates were low
and stable in Estonia, ranging from 0.1 to 0.7. HIV was spreading equally through
homosexual (38.2%) and heterosexual (33.7%) contacts and there were no cases
in pregnant women and infants.
Methods: HIV surveillance is focused on collecting prevalence and behavioural
data from high risk subpopulations in Estonia; additional sources of data are
screening of blood donors, surveillance of STIs, pregnant women, infants and
detainees.
Results: In late months of 2000 was notified the high incidence of new HIV infections in IDU subpopulation in Eastern Estonia which turned into concentrated
epidemic in February, 2001. In 2001 the prevalence of HIV infections in male IDUs
was 12.9%, female IDUs - 13,7%, in male detainees - 16.2%, female detainees -
17.3% and pregnant women - 0.17%. Men of 20-24 (43.0%) and female of 15-19
(52.0%) age groups were at highest risk of HIV infection. HIV infection incidence
rate was 107.8 for the country, 132.0 for the capital Tallinn and 572.1 for the most
affected town Narva on the border of Russian Federation. The proportion of new
HIV infections in Narva was highest in female 15-19 (50.0%) and male 20-24
(42.7%) age groups.
Conclusion: The explosive HIV epidemic among IDUs in Eastern Estonia indicates the serious potential for HIV to further sexual spread into low-prevalence
areas and population.
Presenting author: kuulo kutsar, 81 paldiski mnt, 10617, 10617, tallinn, Estonia,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeC6112 Time-trend in HIV seroprevalence among mothers
of newborns, Spain, 1996-2000
A.M. Carol, I. Noguer1, A. Garcia Saiz2, J. Castilla 1,. Grupo para el estudio
anonimo no relacionado de la seroprevalencia del VIH en recien nacidos1. 1Plan
Nacional sobre el Sida, Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, C/ Bravo Murillo 4,
28015, Madrid, Spain; 2Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Instituto de Salud
Carlos ///, Madrid, Spain
Background: Seroprevalence of HIV in newborns reflects their mothers' serostatus, and is a good indicator of HIV prevalence in women of reproductive age,
being a source of information about potential cases of perinatal transmission of
HIV. The evolution of HIV prevalence in mothers of Spanish newborns between
1996 and 2000 was analyzed.
Methods: Since 1996, HIV unlinked anonymous testing of spot blood for detection of metabolic diseases is made for all newborns in seven Spanish regions.
The study includes regions with uneven levels of HIV prevalence. HIV antibody
detection is done with ELISA and confirmation with immunoblot.
Results: The number of annual determinations oscillates between 87,303 and
94,432. The prevalence of HIV antibodies was 0.99 per 1000 in 1996 (CI 95%:
0.80-1.23), 1.29 in 1997 (CI 1.07-1.56), 1.42 in 1998 (CI 1.19-1.70), 1.54 in 1999
(CI: 1.29-1.82), and 1.32 in 2000 (CI 1.11-1.58), with a global prevalence for the
period of 1.31. Globally, 582 positive samples for HIV-1 and 5 positive samples
for HIV-2 have been found. Compared with other European studies, prevalence in
Spain is high: data from Italy, England and Germany are lower than 0.9 per 1000
newborns, except for London, where prevalence has reached 2.48 per 1000 newborns in 1999.
Conclusions: The upward trend in seroprevalence of HIV in mothers of newborns
in some regions may be explained by the increase in the quality of life of seropositive women, who decide to have children more frequently, and/or by an increase
in the prevalence of HIV in reproductive-aged women. This high prevalence in
comparison with other European countries is an evidence of the importance of
HIV detection in all pregnant women.
Presenting author: Ana Marfa Caro, C/ Bravo Murillo 4, 28015, Madrid, Spain,
Tel.: [phone], Fax: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]
WePeC6113 The reliability and validity of the Ontario HIV viral
load database: How accurate is it?
L.M. Samson1, C. Major2, G. Cleghorn3, G. Robinson3, J. Major4, K. Wu5,
R. Remis5, S. Read4. 1 Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of
Ottawa, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario-Division of Infectious Diseases,
401 Smyth Rd, Ottawa, ONT KIH 8L1, Canada; 2HIV Laboratory Laboratory
Branch Ontario Ministry of Health, Toronto, Canada; 3Ontario Viral Load
Evaluation Group, Toronto, Canada; 4Hospital for Sick Children, University of
Toronto, Toronto, Canada; 5HIV Laboratory Laboratory Branch Ontario Ministry
of Health, Toronto, Canada; 6University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Background: A provincially regulated HIV viral load testing program was started
in 1997 and the Ontario HIV Viral Load Database (OHVLD) was created to record

each viral load test performed in the Province. A thorough understanding of the
reliability and validity of the information in the OHVLD is crucial if subsequent data
interpretation and research is to be meaningful.
Objectives: To determine the reliability and validity of the OHVLD and to develop
recommendations for its ongoing quality assurance.
Methods: Requisitions were randomly selected for determination of data entry
error.