| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Published Abstract | | Title: Prevalence of HIV Clades in Parana State, Southern Brazil. | | Authors: de Almeida S, Ferreira K, Ribeiro C, Vidal L, Ellis R, Raboni S, Nogueira M | | Year: 2009 | | Publication: UCSD Center for AIDS Research | | Volume: Issue: Pages: | | Abstract:Together, clades B and C account for more than 60% of HIV-1 infections worldwide. There is some evidence that Clades B and C may differ in their propensity to cause neurological disease, possibly through clade-specific variability in tat-mediated chemotaxis and/or V3 loop variability. Although generally their geographical distributions are separate, substantial numbers of individuals infected with either clade B or clade C coexist in the same geographical region in Southern Brazil. In the context of an ongoing, NIH funded study comparing the frequency and severity of neurocognitive impairment according to clade, we performed a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of HIV cases reported to the Health Department in the state of Paraná. Population sequencing of HIV-1 pol was done for the purpose of testing for antiretroviral resistance in 293 patients; these sequences were used to determine HIV-1 clade. Among the 245 patients older than 13 years (mean age 32 + 9 years; 103 male, 142 female): the distribution of clades was as follows: 140 B (57%); 67 C (23%); 24 F (10%); 24 recombinant (10%). A history of intravenous drug use (IVDA) was more common among those with clade C (N = 10; 15%) than clade B (N = 2; 4%). Among 48 patients younger than 13 years of age (30 male, 18 female), vertical transmission occurred in 46 (not reported for the remaining 2) and the distribution of clades was as follows: 14 B (29%); 24 C (50%); 7 F (15%) and 6 recombinant (13%). Two mothers (4%) of HIV-infected children reported a history of prior IVDA. IVDA history was denied in 29 (60%) and was not available in 17 (35%).
Conclusions: The HIV epidemic in the state of Paraná in Southern Brazil shows considerable clade diversity. Patients infected with clade C tend to have a higher rate of IVDA exposure risk and vertical transmission. Because clade subtyping was based on antiretroviral resistance testing, these results are likely generalizable only to individuals with more advanced disease who require antiretroviral therapy. |
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