HIV non-B subtype distribution: emerging trends and risk factors for imported and local infections newly diagnosed in South Australia
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Date
2012
Authors
Hawke, Karen G
Waddell, Russell G
Gordon, David Llewellyn
Ratcliff, Rodney M
Ward, Paul Russell
Kaldor, John M
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
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Rights Holder
Abstract
Monitoring HIV subtype distribution is important for understanding transmission dynamics. Subtype B has
historically been dominant in Australia, but in recent years new clades have appeared. Since 2000, clade data
have been collected as part of HIV surveillance in South Australia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
prevalence of and risk factors for HIV-1 non-B subtypes. The study population was composed of newly diagnosed,
genotyped HIV subjects in South Australia between 2000 and 2010. We analyzed time trends and subtype
patterns in this cohort; notification data were aggregated into three time periods (2000–2003, 2004–2006, and
2007–2010). Main outcome measures were number of new non-B infections by year, exposure route, and other
demographic characteristics. There were 513 new HIV diagnoses; 425 had information on subtype. The majority
(262/425) were in men who have sex with men (MSM), predominantly subtype B and acquired in Australia.
Infections acquired in Australia decreased from 77% (2000–2003) to 64% (2007–2010) ( p = 0.007) and correspondingly
the proportion of subtype B declined from 85% to 68% ( p = 0.002). Non-B infections were predominantly
(83%) heterosexual contacts, mostly acquired overseas (74%). The majority (68%) of non-B patients
were born outside of Australia. There was a non-significant increase from 1.6% to 4.2% in the proportion of
locally transmitted non-B cases (p = 0.3). Three non-B subtypes and two circulating recombinant forms (CRFs)
were identified: CRF_AE (n = 41), C (n = 36), CRF_AG (n = 13), A (n = 9), and D (n = 2). There has been a substantial
increase over the past decade in diagnosed non-B infections, primarily through cases acquired overseas.
Description
Keywords
Public health, Viruses, AIDS/HIV research
Citation
Hawke, K.G., Waddell, R.G., Gordon, D.L., Ratcliff, R.M., Ward, P.R. and Kaldor, J.M., 2012. HIV non-B subtype distribution: emerging trends and risk factors for imported and local infections newly diagnosed in South Australia. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses, 28(11), 1-7.