Objectives: To monitor the prevalence and riskfactors of HIV in high-risk populations, to provide ascientific basis for policy-makers to evaluate theeffectiveness of HIV prevention, and to formulate stra-tegic measure...Objectives: To monitor the prevalence and riskfactors of HIV in high-risk populations, to provide ascientific basis for policy-makers to evaluate theeffectiveness of HIV prevention, and to formulate stra-tegic measures for prevention and treatment.Methods: From 1997 to 2002, 3 110 incarceratedcommercial sex workers (CSWs) and 4 748 outpatientsof a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) departmentunderwent HIV antibody testing in Shenzhen. HIVantibody screening of samples was made by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: Among the outpatients, the proportiondiagnosed with an STD were 71.5%, 70%, 87.5%,87.3%, 85.2%, 82.2%, respectively, in the years from1997 to 2002. The predominant STDs presented weresyphilis, non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and condy-loma acuminata (CA). One out-patient was found to beHIV-positive in 2001 and another in 2002, with a preva-lence of 0.25 % (1/400). During the same period, theproportion of CSW who reported always using a con-dom were 45.9%, 49.8%, 40.8%, 57.9%, 44.9%,and 58.2%. 13.4% of CSW were drug users, amongwhom 9.3% used injection drugs and 3.2% reportedsharing syringes with others. One CSW was found tobe HIV-positive in the first survey in 1998 with a preva-lence of 0.4 % (1/250). In 2002, two CSW tested posi-tive in the first semiannual study with a prevalence of0.65% (2/307), and one case in the second study, witha prevalence of 0.48% (1/210).Conclusion: The result of this surveillance indicatethat HIV is prevalent among these high-risk popula-tions of commercial sex workers and STD outpatients.展开更多
Objective: To understand the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KAB) among immigrant female factory workers(IFFW). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among IFFWs sampled from several join...Objective: To understand the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KAB) among immigrant female factory workers(IFFW). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among IFFWs sampled from several joint- venture and private factories in Dongguan city. Results: Out of 175 sampled workers, 165 qualified for inclusion and the median age was 22. The results showed that the IFFWs had low levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and held many misconceptions. Thirty three of 76 (43.4%) unmarried IFFWs had premarital sexual contact, and more than half of these contacts were one-night stands (54.5%) . More than one quarter of the women(25.9%) never used condoms, 49.4% sometimes used condoms and 24.7% used condoms every time. Twenty-eight women (31.8%) had an induced abortion because of an unexpected pregnancy. Fourteen (14.9%) had been infected with STDs, and four IFFWs(2.8%)had tried drugs before the interview. Conclusion: In order to empower the IFFWs in the city to protect themselves from HIV, and to contain the rapid spread of HIV in our province, targeted HIV/ AIDS health promotion programs should be urgently implemented among IFFWs in Dongguan city. The programs should be designed to improve the knowledge of HIV, to promote condom use, and to reduce risky behaviors.展开更多
Objectives: To provide references for HIV/AIDS-re-lated health education strategies through survey onHIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitude and determi-nants of HIV/AIDS awareness. Methods: The study subjects were selec...Objectives: To provide references for HIV/AIDS-re-lated health education strategies through survey onHIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitude and determi-nants of HIV/AIDS awareness. Methods: The study subjects were selected by ran-dom interception in a downtown street of Guangzhoucity on World AIDS Day-December 1,2002. The uni-form questionnaires were finished by means of self-administration. Results: Two hundred questionnaires were distrib-uted and 147 qualified questionnaires were collected.The results showed, the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 63.3%, and awareness rate oftransmission routes was 76.2%, whilst non-transmis-sion route was 60.5%; the awareness rate of trans-mission was 59.2%; the awareness rate of preventionwas 47.0%; the positive attitude to people living withHIV/AIDS was 65.6%. Multiple variable Logistic re-gression analysis showed the determinants of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge were education level, age,marital status and gender, of which people with highlevel of education, young age and the group of maleand married had better awareness of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Current HIV/AIDS-related knowledgeof urban residents is relativly low, especially for thenon-transmission route, hence further HIV/AIDS-re-lated education should be strengthened, especially fo-cusing on non-transmission route to eliminate dis-crimination over people living with HIV/AIDS.Further, education efforts also should be put on fe-male population, unmarried population and poorly edu-cated population.展开更多
In order to analyze and explain the mechanism of the two small inhibitors (ADS-JI and ADS-J2) binding to HIV-1 gp41, a computational study is carried out to help identifying possible binding modes by docking these c...In order to analyze and explain the mechanism of the two small inhibitors (ADS-JI and ADS-J2) binding to HIV-1 gp41, a computational study is carried out to help identifying possible binding modes by docking these compounds onto the hydrophobic pocket on gp41 and characterize structures of binding complexes. The binding interactions of gp41-molecule and free energies of binding are obtained through molecular dynamics simulation and molecular mechanic/Poisson- Boitzmann surface area ( MM/PBSA ) calculation. Specific molecular interactions in the gp41-inhibitor complexes are identified. The present computational study complements the corresponding experimental investigation and helps establish a good starting point tbr further refinement of small molecular gp41 inhibitors.展开更多
Background: Commercial sex workers and clientsare important core populations in the transmission ofsexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human im-munodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Research on thefrequency and d...Background: Commercial sex workers and clientsare important core populations in the transmission ofsexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human im-munodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Research on thefrequency and determinants of condom use in com-mercial sex workers and their clients is important inincreasing condom use and reduction of the STD/HIV.Burden. Objectives: To establish the frequency of and fac-tors related to intention to use condoms and actualcondom use in commercial sex contacts and to deter-mine the differences in condom use between sex work-ers and clients.Methods: Incarcerated commercial sex workers(ICSW) and male STD clinic attendees were recruitedinto a cross-sectional study to obtain data on the fre-quency and factors associated with intention to usecondoms and condom use in commercial sexual con-tacts with an interviewer-administered questionnaire.Consistent condom use in ICSWs and never usingcondoms in male STD clinic attendees were analyzedusing univariate and multivariate logistic regressionmodels. Results: The frequency of reported consistent in-tention to use condoms and reported actual condomuse was 62% and 50.6%, respectively among 158ICSWs. For male STD clinic attendees, the propor-tion of reported consistent intention to use condomsand reported actual condom use was 10% and 20.7%,respectively. The factors positively influencing theconsistent intention to use condoms were pregnancypreventing measures and the belief of condom efficacyin the prevention of STD/HIV, whereas the factor as-sociated with actually consistent condom use was preg-nancy-preventing measure in ICSWs. Factors associ-ated with no intention to use condoms were low income,low STD/HIV knowledge level and the frequency ofvisiting CSW. The latter factor was also associatedwith never using condoms in male STD clinicattendees. Conclusions: Consistent condom use during com-mercial sex contacts was low, especially in clients.Greater effort is needed in condom promotion programin order to raise the level of condom use in commer-cial sex contacts.展开更多
Background: The incidence of sexually transmittedHIV infections is rapidly increasing in China, and theprevalence of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas (includingMycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma penetrans, Myco-plasma pirum...Background: The incidence of sexually transmittedHIV infections is rapidly increasing in China, and theprevalence of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas (includingMycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma penetrans, Myco-plasma pirum and Mycoplasma fermentans) infections isunknown in patients with sexually transmitted diseases.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of these 4species of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas infections inpatients with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) andmucopurulent cervicitis (MPC).Methods: In 65 patients with NGU/MPC, detection ofM. genitalium, M. penetrans, M. pirum and M. fermentansin genital and pharyngeal specimens was performed byculture and nested polymerase chain reaction.Results: M. genitalium, M. penetrans, M. pirum and M.fermentans were identified in genital specimens from23.1% (15/65), 12.3% (8/65), 1.5% (1/65) and 0% ofpatients, respectively, and from pharyngeal samples in26.2% (17/65), 15.4% (10/65), 1.5% (1/65) and 0% ofpatients, respectively. M. genitalium was detected in bothgenital and pharyngeal samples in 10.8% (7/65) ofpatients, and M. penetrans in 4.6% (3/65) of patients. M.pirum was found in only 2 cases, and no M. fermentanswas discovered.Conclusions: This study suggests that M. genitaliumand M. penetrans infections are common in patients withNGU/MPC. M. genitalium and M. penetrans may be trans-mitted by genital-genital or oral-genital sex, and maycause urethritis and cervicitis.展开更多
Objectives: This paper examines the basic knowledge ofAIDS and HIV transmission through unsafe blood collec-tion and supply among rural Chinese doctors. It also ex-plores the accessibility of AIDS intervention methods...Objectives: This paper examines the basic knowledge ofAIDS and HIV transmission through unsafe blood collec-tion and supply among rural Chinese doctors. It also ex-plores the accessibility of AIDS intervention methods inrural area. Methods: We did Case studies, held focus group discus-sions and provided questionnaires to all rural doctors inone township where the epidemic of HIV was known to bespread through blood collection and supply. Data were col-lected and analyzed with software EPI 6.0.Results: The effective response rate to the questionnairewas 100%. The results showed that more than 95% of in-formants gave correct answers to the questions about thesexual and blood-bourne transmission of HIV as well as itscontagiousness. Half of the participants were ignorant aboutmother to child transmission of HIV and did not know thatHIV couldn’t be transmitted by saliva, sweat, mosquito bites,sharing of bathtubs or toilets. More than 80% of infor-mants were opposed to blood selling and reportedly under-stood the objective of the blood organizers in their villages,knew the peak time of blood selling by the villagers, and ,were aware of the risks of diseases being spread throughblood. . 27.3% used disposable syringes ‘once in a while’,and 15.2% discarded or sold used disposable syringes.Conclusions: The authors assert that there are severe lurk-ing perils of iatrogenic cross infection in rural areas. Ruraldoctors urgently need formal training on prevention andtreatment of HIV infection. We believe that rural doctorsshould become the key force in AIDS prevention and con-trol in rural area.展开更多
The assays for bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) induced syncytium formation and BIV long terminal repeat (LTR) directed luciferase (Luc) gene expression were applied to screen and evaluate anti AIDS drugs. Frequen...The assays for bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) induced syncytium formation and BIV long terminal repeat (LTR) directed luciferase (Luc) gene expression were applied to screen and evaluate anti AIDS drugs. Frequency of the syncytium formation and BIV LTR directed Luc activity were in proportion to the number of input BIV infected cells. AZT inhibited the syncytium formation and the BIV LTR directed Luc gene expression level. Its inhibitory effects were dosedependent with the IC 50 being 0.24 and 0.052 mmol / L, respectively.展开更多
Nearly one fourth of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the US and Western Europe. With the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy and...Nearly one fourth of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the US and Western Europe. With the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy and the consequent reduction in opportunistic infections, resulting in the prolongation of the life span of HIV-infected patients, HCV co-infection has emerged as a signif icant factor influencing the survival of HIV patients. Patients with HIV/HCV co-infection have a faster rate of fibrosis progression resulting in more frequent occurrences of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the mechanism of interaction between the two viruses is not completely understood. The treatment for HCV in co-infected patients is similar to that of HCV monoinfection; i.e., a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The presence of any barriers to antiHCV therapy should be identified and eliminated in order to recruit all eligible patients. The response to treatment in co-infected patients is inferior compared to the response in patients with HCV mono-infection. The sustained virologic response rate is only 38% for genotype-1 and 75% for genotype-2 and -3 infections. Liver transplantation is no longer considered a contraindication for end-stage liver disease in coinfected patients. However, the 5 year survival rate is lower in co-infected patients compared to patients with HCV mono-infection (33% vs 72%, P = 0.07). A better understanding of liver disease in co-infected patients is needed to derive new strategies for improving outcome and survival.展开更多
AIM: To screen for the co-infection of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients in southern India. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive HIV infected patients w...AIM: To screen for the co-infection of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients in southern India. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive HIV infected patients were screened for Hepatitis B Virus (HBsAg and HBV-DNA) and Hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV and HCV-RNA) using commercially available ELISA kits; HBsAg, HBeAg/ anti-HBe (Biorad laboratories, USA) and anti-HCV (Murex Diagnostics, UK). The HBV-DNA PCR was performed to detect the surface antigen region (pre S-S). HCV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR for the detection of the constant 5' putative non-coding region of HCV. RESULTS: HBV co-infection was detected in 45/500 (9%) patients and HCV co-infection in 11/500 (2.2%) subjects. Among the 45 co-infected patients only 40 patients could be studied, where the detection rates of HBe was 55% (22/40), antiHBe was 45% (18/40) and HBV-DNA was 56% (23/40). Among 11 HCV co-infected subjects, 6 (54.5%) were anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive, while 3 (27.2%) were positive for anti-HCV alone and 2 (18%) were positive for HCV RNA alone. CONCLUSION: Since the principal routes for HIV transmission are similar to that followed by the hepatotropic viruses, as a consequence, infections with HBV and HCV are expected in HIV infected patients. Therefore, it would be advisable to screen for these viruses in all the HIV infected individuals and their sexual partners at the earliest.展开更多
This paper describes the development and challenge of HIV/AIDS testing laboratory network and quality assurance system in China. At present,the HIV/AIDS testing laboratories includes three classes,the National AIDS Re...This paper describes the development and challenge of HIV/AIDS testing laboratory network and quality assurance system in China. At present,the HIV/AIDS testing laboratories includes three classes,the National AIDS Reference Laboratory,HIV/AIDS confirmatory laboratories and HIV/AIDS screening laboratories. All of them are accredited by the health authorities,and each class of laboratories take charge of their function strictly according to the "National Management of HIV/AIDS Detection (2006)". A complete quality assurance and quality control system for HIV/AIDS testing has been developed,which includes technical training,strict laboratory monitoring and approval,examination or proficiency testing on HIV/AIDS detection,and quality evaluation and supervision of HIV/AIDS diagnostic kits. Besides conduct the routine anti-HIV antibody test,more and more laboratories began to conduct other tests,such as CD4+ T lymphocyte cell counting,HIV viral load,HIV DNA PCR,genotyping,drug resistance,and HIV-1 recent infection test. The primary challenges faced by the HIV/AIDS testing laboratory network are in the areas of laboratory management and quality control. For example,the provincial PT program is inefficient,the internal quality control is conducted perfunctorily,personnel training can not met the needs of the workplace,which need to be improved.展开更多
SHIV-CN97001 played an important role in assessing the immune effect and strategy of the AIDS vaccine which included genes of the predominant prevalent HIV-1 strain in China. In this study, SHIV-CN97001 was in vivo pa...SHIV-CN97001 played an important role in assessing the immune effect and strategy of the AIDS vaccine which included genes of the predominant prevalent HIV-1 strain in China. In this study, SHIV-CN97001 was in vivo passaged serially to construct pathogenic SHIV-CN97001/rhesus macaques model. To identify variation in the gp120 region of SHIV-CN97001 during passage, the fragments of gp120 gene were amplified by RT-PCR from the plasma of SHIV-CN97001 infected animals at the peak viral load time point and the gene distances (divergence, diversity) were calculated using DISTANCE. The analysis revealed that the genetic distances of SHIV-CN97001 in the third passage animals were the highest during in vivo passage. It had a relationship between viral divergence from the founder strain and viral replication ability. The nucleic acid sequence of the V3 region was highly conservative. All of the SHIV-CN97001 strains had V3 loop central motif (GPGQ) and were predicted to be using CCR5 co-receptor on the basis of the critical amino acids within V3 loop. These results show that there was no significant increase in the genetic distance during serial passage, and SHIV-CN97001 gp120 gene evolved toward ancestral states upon transmission to a new host. This could partly explain why there was no pathogenic viral strain obtained during in vivo passage.展开更多
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the infectious agent causing acquired immu-nodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),a deadliest scourge of human society. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic liver d...Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the infectious agent causing acquired immu-nodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),a deadliest scourge of human society. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic liver disease and infects an estimated 170 million people worldwide,resulting in a serious public health burden. Due to shared routes of transmission,co-infection with HIV and HCV has become common among individuals who had high risks of blood exposures. Among hemophiliacs the co-infection rate accounts for 85%; while among injection drug users (IDU) the rate can be as high as 90%. HIV can accelerate the progression of HCV-related liver disease,particularly when immunodeficiency has developed. Although the effect of HCV on HIV infection is controversial,most studies showed an increase in mortality due to liver disease. HCV may act as a direct cofactor to fasten the progression of AIDS and decrease the tolerance of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT). Conversely,HAART-related hepatotoxicity may enhance the progression of liver fibrosis. Due to above complications,co-infection with HCV and HIV-1 has imposed a critical challenge in the management of these patients. In this review,we focus on the epidemiology and transmission of HIV and HCV,the impact of the two viruses on each other,and their treatment.展开更多
Viral load measurements are an essential tool for the long-term clinical care of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. The gold standards in viral load instrumentation, however, are still too limi...Viral load measurements are an essential tool for the long-term clinical care of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. The gold standards in viral load instrumentation, however, are still too limited by their size, cost, and sophisticated operation for these measurements to be ubiquitous in remote settings with poor healthcare infrastructure, including parts of the world that are disproportionately affected by HIV infection. The challenge of developing a point-of-care platform capable of making viral load more accessible has been frequently approached but no solution has yet emerged that meets the practical requirements of low cost, portability, and ease-of-use. In this paper, we perform reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) on minimally processed HIV-spiked whole blood samples with a microfluidic and silicon microchip platform, and perform fluorescence measurements with a consumer smartphone. Our integrated assay shows amplification from as few as three viruses in a - 60 nL RT- LAMP droplet, corresponding to a whole blood concentration of 670 viruses per μL of whole blood. The technology contains greater power in a digital RT-LAMP approach that could be scaled up for the determination of viral load from a finger prick of blood in the clinical care of HIV-positive individuals. We demonstrate that all aspects of this viral load approach, from a drop of blood to imaging the RT-LAMP reaction, are compatible with lab-on-a-chip components and mobile instrumentation.展开更多
文摘Objectives: To monitor the prevalence and riskfactors of HIV in high-risk populations, to provide ascientific basis for policy-makers to evaluate theeffectiveness of HIV prevention, and to formulate stra-tegic measures for prevention and treatment.Methods: From 1997 to 2002, 3 110 incarceratedcommercial sex workers (CSWs) and 4 748 outpatientsof a sexually-transmitted disease (STD) departmentunderwent HIV antibody testing in Shenzhen. HIVantibody screening of samples was made by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: Among the outpatients, the proportiondiagnosed with an STD were 71.5%, 70%, 87.5%,87.3%, 85.2%, 82.2%, respectively, in the years from1997 to 2002. The predominant STDs presented weresyphilis, non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) and condy-loma acuminata (CA). One out-patient was found to beHIV-positive in 2001 and another in 2002, with a preva-lence of 0.25 % (1/400). During the same period, theproportion of CSW who reported always using a con-dom were 45.9%, 49.8%, 40.8%, 57.9%, 44.9%,and 58.2%. 13.4% of CSW were drug users, amongwhom 9.3% used injection drugs and 3.2% reportedsharing syringes with others. One CSW was found tobe HIV-positive in the first survey in 1998 with a preva-lence of 0.4 % (1/250). In 2002, two CSW tested posi-tive in the first semiannual study with a prevalence of0.65% (2/307), and one case in the second study, witha prevalence of 0.48% (1/210).Conclusion: The result of this surveillance indicatethat HIV is prevalent among these high-risk popula-tions of commercial sex workers and STD outpatients.
文摘Objective: To understand the HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviors (KAB) among immigrant female factory workers(IFFW). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among IFFWs sampled from several joint- venture and private factories in Dongguan city. Results: Out of 175 sampled workers, 165 qualified for inclusion and the median age was 22. The results showed that the IFFWs had low levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and held many misconceptions. Thirty three of 76 (43.4%) unmarried IFFWs had premarital sexual contact, and more than half of these contacts were one-night stands (54.5%) . More than one quarter of the women(25.9%) never used condoms, 49.4% sometimes used condoms and 24.7% used condoms every time. Twenty-eight women (31.8%) had an induced abortion because of an unexpected pregnancy. Fourteen (14.9%) had been infected with STDs, and four IFFWs(2.8%)had tried drugs before the interview. Conclusion: In order to empower the IFFWs in the city to protect themselves from HIV, and to contain the rapid spread of HIV in our province, targeted HIV/ AIDS health promotion programs should be urgently implemented among IFFWs in Dongguan city. The programs should be designed to improve the knowledge of HIV, to promote condom use, and to reduce risky behaviors.
文摘Objectives: To provide references for HIV/AIDS-re-lated health education strategies through survey onHIV/AIDS-related knowledge, attitude and determi-nants of HIV/AIDS awareness. Methods: The study subjects were selected by ran-dom interception in a downtown street of Guangzhoucity on World AIDS Day-December 1,2002. The uni-form questionnaires were finished by means of self-administration. Results: Two hundred questionnaires were distrib-uted and 147 qualified questionnaires were collected.The results showed, the awareness rate of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 63.3%, and awareness rate oftransmission routes was 76.2%, whilst non-transmis-sion route was 60.5%; the awareness rate of trans-mission was 59.2%; the awareness rate of preventionwas 47.0%; the positive attitude to people living withHIV/AIDS was 65.6%. Multiple variable Logistic re-gression analysis showed the determinants of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge were education level, age,marital status and gender, of which people with highlevel of education, young age and the group of maleand married had better awareness of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Current HIV/AIDS-related knowledgeof urban residents is relativly low, especially for thenon-transmission route, hence further HIV/AIDS-re-lated education should be strengthened, especially fo-cusing on non-transmission route to eliminate dis-crimination over people living with HIV/AIDS.Further, education efforts also should be put on fe-male population, unmarried population and poorly edu-cated population.
基金The National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2007CB936300)
文摘In order to analyze and explain the mechanism of the two small inhibitors (ADS-JI and ADS-J2) binding to HIV-1 gp41, a computational study is carried out to help identifying possible binding modes by docking these compounds onto the hydrophobic pocket on gp41 and characterize structures of binding complexes. The binding interactions of gp41-molecule and free energies of binding are obtained through molecular dynamics simulation and molecular mechanic/Poisson- Boitzmann surface area ( MM/PBSA ) calculation. Specific molecular interactions in the gp41-inhibitor complexes are identified. The present computational study complements the corresponding experimental investigation and helps establish a good starting point tbr further refinement of small molecular gp41 inhibitors.
文摘Background: Commercial sex workers and clientsare important core populations in the transmission ofsexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and human im-munodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Research on thefrequency and determinants of condom use in com-mercial sex workers and their clients is important inincreasing condom use and reduction of the STD/HIV.Burden. Objectives: To establish the frequency of and fac-tors related to intention to use condoms and actualcondom use in commercial sex contacts and to deter-mine the differences in condom use between sex work-ers and clients.Methods: Incarcerated commercial sex workers(ICSW) and male STD clinic attendees were recruitedinto a cross-sectional study to obtain data on the fre-quency and factors associated with intention to usecondoms and condom use in commercial sexual con-tacts with an interviewer-administered questionnaire.Consistent condom use in ICSWs and never usingcondoms in male STD clinic attendees were analyzedusing univariate and multivariate logistic regressionmodels. Results: The frequency of reported consistent in-tention to use condoms and reported actual condomuse was 62% and 50.6%, respectively among 158ICSWs. For male STD clinic attendees, the propor-tion of reported consistent intention to use condomsand reported actual condom use was 10% and 20.7%,respectively. The factors positively influencing theconsistent intention to use condoms were pregnancypreventing measures and the belief of condom efficacyin the prevention of STD/HIV, whereas the factor as-sociated with actually consistent condom use was preg-nancy-preventing measure in ICSWs. Factors associ-ated with no intention to use condoms were low income,low STD/HIV knowledge level and the frequency ofvisiting CSW. The latter factor was also associatedwith never using condoms in male STD clinicattendees. Conclusions: Consistent condom use during com-mercial sex contacts was low, especially in clients.Greater effort is needed in condom promotion programin order to raise the level of condom use in commer-cial sex contacts.
文摘Background: The incidence of sexually transmittedHIV infections is rapidly increasing in China, and theprevalence of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas (includingMycoplasma genitalium, Mycoplasma penetrans, Myco-plasma pirum and Mycoplasma fermentans) infections isunknown in patients with sexually transmitted diseases.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of these 4species of AIDS-associated mycoplasmas infections inpatients with nongonococcal urethritis (NGU) andmucopurulent cervicitis (MPC).Methods: In 65 patients with NGU/MPC, detection ofM. genitalium, M. penetrans, M. pirum and M. fermentansin genital and pharyngeal specimens was performed byculture and nested polymerase chain reaction.Results: M. genitalium, M. penetrans, M. pirum and M.fermentans were identified in genital specimens from23.1% (15/65), 12.3% (8/65), 1.5% (1/65) and 0% ofpatients, respectively, and from pharyngeal samples in26.2% (17/65), 15.4% (10/65), 1.5% (1/65) and 0% ofpatients, respectively. M. genitalium was detected in bothgenital and pharyngeal samples in 10.8% (7/65) ofpatients, and M. penetrans in 4.6% (3/65) of patients. M.pirum was found in only 2 cases, and no M. fermentanswas discovered.Conclusions: This study suggests that M. genitaliumand M. penetrans infections are common in patients withNGU/MPC. M. genitalium and M. penetrans may be trans-mitted by genital-genital or oral-genital sex, and maycause urethritis and cervicitis.
文摘Objectives: This paper examines the basic knowledge ofAIDS and HIV transmission through unsafe blood collec-tion and supply among rural Chinese doctors. It also ex-plores the accessibility of AIDS intervention methods inrural area. Methods: We did Case studies, held focus group discus-sions and provided questionnaires to all rural doctors inone township where the epidemic of HIV was known to bespread through blood collection and supply. Data were col-lected and analyzed with software EPI 6.0.Results: The effective response rate to the questionnairewas 100%. The results showed that more than 95% of in-formants gave correct answers to the questions about thesexual and blood-bourne transmission of HIV as well as itscontagiousness. Half of the participants were ignorant aboutmother to child transmission of HIV and did not know thatHIV couldn’t be transmitted by saliva, sweat, mosquito bites,sharing of bathtubs or toilets. More than 80% of infor-mants were opposed to blood selling and reportedly under-stood the objective of the blood organizers in their villages,knew the peak time of blood selling by the villagers, and ,were aware of the risks of diseases being spread throughblood. . 27.3% used disposable syringes ‘once in a while’,and 15.2% discarded or sold used disposable syringes.Conclusions: The authors assert that there are severe lurk-ing perils of iatrogenic cross infection in rural areas. Ruraldoctors urgently need formal training on prevention andtreatment of HIV infection. We believe that rural doctorsshould become the key force in AIDS prevention and con-trol in rural area.
文摘The assays for bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) induced syncytium formation and BIV long terminal repeat (LTR) directed luciferase (Luc) gene expression were applied to screen and evaluate anti AIDS drugs. Frequency of the syncytium formation and BIV LTR directed Luc activity were in proportion to the number of input BIV infected cells. AZT inhibited the syncytium formation and the BIV LTR directed Luc gene expression level. Its inhibitory effects were dosedependent with the IC 50 being 0.24 and 0.052 mmol / L, respectively.
文摘Nearly one fourth of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the US and Western Europe. With the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy and the consequent reduction in opportunistic infections, resulting in the prolongation of the life span of HIV-infected patients, HCV co-infection has emerged as a signif icant factor influencing the survival of HIV patients. Patients with HIV/HCV co-infection have a faster rate of fibrosis progression resulting in more frequent occurrences of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the mechanism of interaction between the two viruses is not completely understood. The treatment for HCV in co-infected patients is similar to that of HCV monoinfection; i.e., a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The presence of any barriers to antiHCV therapy should be identified and eliminated in order to recruit all eligible patients. The response to treatment in co-infected patients is inferior compared to the response in patients with HCV mono-infection. The sustained virologic response rate is only 38% for genotype-1 and 75% for genotype-2 and -3 infections. Liver transplantation is no longer considered a contraindication for end-stage liver disease in coinfected patients. However, the 5 year survival rate is lower in co-infected patients compared to patients with HCV mono-infection (33% vs 72%, P = 0.07). A better understanding of liver disease in co-infected patients is needed to derive new strategies for improving outcome and survival.
文摘AIM: To screen for the co-infection of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients in southern India. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive HIV infected patients were screened for Hepatitis B Virus (HBsAg and HBV-DNA) and Hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV and HCV-RNA) using commercially available ELISA kits; HBsAg, HBeAg/ anti-HBe (Biorad laboratories, USA) and anti-HCV (Murex Diagnostics, UK). The HBV-DNA PCR was performed to detect the surface antigen region (pre S-S). HCV-RNA was detected by RT-PCR for the detection of the constant 5' putative non-coding region of HCV. RESULTS: HBV co-infection was detected in 45/500 (9%) patients and HCV co-infection in 11/500 (2.2%) subjects. Among the 45 co-infected patients only 40 patients could be studied, where the detection rates of HBe was 55% (22/40), antiHBe was 45% (18/40) and HBV-DNA was 56% (23/40). Among 11 HCV co-infected subjects, 6 (54.5%) were anti-HCV and HCV RNA positive, while 3 (27.2%) were positive for anti-HCV alone and 2 (18%) were positive for HCV RNA alone. CONCLUSION: Since the principal routes for HIV transmission are similar to that followed by the hepatotropic viruses, as a consequence, infections with HBV and HCV are expected in HIV infected patients. Therefore, it would be advisable to screen for these viruses in all the HIV infected individuals and their sexual partners at the earliest.
基金MOH Program on Applied Research in the Prevention and Treatment of AIDS (WA 2003-17)
文摘This paper describes the development and challenge of HIV/AIDS testing laboratory network and quality assurance system in China. At present,the HIV/AIDS testing laboratories includes three classes,the National AIDS Reference Laboratory,HIV/AIDS confirmatory laboratories and HIV/AIDS screening laboratories. All of them are accredited by the health authorities,and each class of laboratories take charge of their function strictly according to the "National Management of HIV/AIDS Detection (2006)". A complete quality assurance and quality control system for HIV/AIDS testing has been developed,which includes technical training,strict laboratory monitoring and approval,examination or proficiency testing on HIV/AIDS detection,and quality evaluation and supervision of HIV/AIDS diagnostic kits. Besides conduct the routine anti-HIV antibody test,more and more laboratories began to conduct other tests,such as CD4+ T lymphocyte cell counting,HIV viral load,HIV DNA PCR,genotyping,drug resistance,and HIV-1 recent infection test. The primary challenges faced by the HIV/AIDS testing laboratory network are in the areas of laboratory management and quality control. For example,the provincial PT program is inefficient,the internal quality control is conducted perfunctorily,personnel training can not met the needs of the workplace,which need to be improved.
文摘SHIV-CN97001 played an important role in assessing the immune effect and strategy of the AIDS vaccine which included genes of the predominant prevalent HIV-1 strain in China. In this study, SHIV-CN97001 was in vivo passaged serially to construct pathogenic SHIV-CN97001/rhesus macaques model. To identify variation in the gp120 region of SHIV-CN97001 during passage, the fragments of gp120 gene were amplified by RT-PCR from the plasma of SHIV-CN97001 infected animals at the peak viral load time point and the gene distances (divergence, diversity) were calculated using DISTANCE. The analysis revealed that the genetic distances of SHIV-CN97001 in the third passage animals were the highest during in vivo passage. It had a relationship between viral divergence from the founder strain and viral replication ability. The nucleic acid sequence of the V3 region was highly conservative. All of the SHIV-CN97001 strains had V3 loop central motif (GPGQ) and were predicted to be using CCR5 co-receptor on the basis of the critical amino acids within V3 loop. These results show that there was no significant increase in the genetic distance during serial passage, and SHIV-CN97001 gp120 gene evolved toward ancestral states upon transmission to a new host. This could partly explain why there was no pathogenic viral strain obtained during in vivo passage.
文摘Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the infectious agent causing acquired immu-nodeficiency syndrome (AIDS),a deadliest scourge of human society. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major causative agent of chronic liver disease and infects an estimated 170 million people worldwide,resulting in a serious public health burden. Due to shared routes of transmission,co-infection with HIV and HCV has become common among individuals who had high risks of blood exposures. Among hemophiliacs the co-infection rate accounts for 85%; while among injection drug users (IDU) the rate can be as high as 90%. HIV can accelerate the progression of HCV-related liver disease,particularly when immunodeficiency has developed. Although the effect of HCV on HIV infection is controversial,most studies showed an increase in mortality due to liver disease. HCV may act as a direct cofactor to fasten the progression of AIDS and decrease the tolerance of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT). Conversely,HAART-related hepatotoxicity may enhance the progression of liver fibrosis. Due to above complications,co-infection with HCV and HIV-1 has imposed a critical challenge in the management of these patients. In this review,we focus on the epidemiology and transmission of HIV and HCV,the impact of the two viruses on each other,and their treatment.
基金supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) (AI106024)supported by a Ruth L.Kirschstein National Research Service Award for Individual Pred octoral MD/PhD and Other Dual Doctoral Degree Fellows (F30) (AI109825)
文摘Viral load measurements are an essential tool for the long-term clinical care of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals. The gold standards in viral load instrumentation, however, are still too limited by their size, cost, and sophisticated operation for these measurements to be ubiquitous in remote settings with poor healthcare infrastructure, including parts of the world that are disproportionately affected by HIV infection. The challenge of developing a point-of-care platform capable of making viral load more accessible has been frequently approached but no solution has yet emerged that meets the practical requirements of low cost, portability, and ease-of-use. In this paper, we perform reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) on minimally processed HIV-spiked whole blood samples with a microfluidic and silicon microchip platform, and perform fluorescence measurements with a consumer smartphone. Our integrated assay shows amplification from as few as three viruses in a - 60 nL RT- LAMP droplet, corresponding to a whole blood concentration of 670 viruses per μL of whole blood. The technology contains greater power in a digital RT-LAMP approach that could be scaled up for the determination of viral load from a finger prick of blood in the clinical care of HIV-positive individuals. We demonstrate that all aspects of this viral load approach, from a drop of blood to imaging the RT-LAMP reaction, are compatible with lab-on-a-chip components and mobile instrumentation.