Association between general self-efficacy and HIV-related stigma among newly HIV-diagnosed man who have sex with man / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the association between general self-efficacy (GSES) and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-related stigma among newly HIV-diagnosed men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing. Methods HIV testing was conducted among MSM who met the inclusion criteria in Beijing from April 2013 to April 2014. Face-to-face interviews were conducted among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between general self-efficacy and HIV-related stigma among newly HIV-diagnosed MSM. Results Of the 367 newly HIV-diagnosed MSM, the general self-efficacy score of was (31.5±6.3) and the HIV-related stigma score was (26.9±20.9). Multiple linear regression showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, general self-efficacy was negativly associated with HIV-related stigma (GSES was continuous variable β=-0.010, P=0.022; GSES was dichotomous variable β=-0.117, P=0.028 ). Conclusions The newly HIV-diagnosed MSM face the problem of HIV-related stigma. For newly HIV-diagnosed MSM, higher self-efficacy helps reduce HIV-related stigma.

Behavioral Risk Profile of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Beijing, China: Results from a Cross-sectional Survey with Randomized Response Techniques / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spreading rapidly among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Anonymous questionnaires or direct interviews have been frequently used to study their behavior. The aim of the study was to describe the behavioral risk profile of the MSM in Beijing using the randomized response techniques (RRTs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional survey of sexual behavior among a sample of MSM was conducted in two HIV counseling and testing clinics in Beijing. The survey was carried out with an anonymous questionnaire containing sensitive questions on sexual behavior. To obtain the honest responses to the sensitive questions, three distinctive RRTs were used in the questionnaire: (1) Additive randomized response model for quantitative questions, (2) randomized response model for multiple choice questions, and (3) Simmons randomized response model for binomial questions. Formulae for the point estimate, variance, and confidence interval (CI) were provided for each specific model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Using RRTs in a sample of 659 participants, the mean age at first homosexual encounter was estimated to be 21.7 years (95% CI: 21.2-22.2), and each had sex with about three (2.9, 95% CI: 2.4-3.4) male partners on average in the past month. The estimated rate for consistent condom use was 56.4% (95% CI: 50.1-62.8%). In addition, condom was estimated to be used among 80.0% (95% CI: 74.1-85.9%) of the population during last anal sex with a male partner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Our study employed RRTs in a survey containing questions on sexual behavior among MSM, and the results showed that RRT might be a useful tool to obtain truthful feedback on sensitive information such as sexual behavior from the respondents, especially in traditional Chinese cultural settings.</p>

Loss to follow-up and associated factors in a cohort study among men who have sex with men / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the associated factors on loss to follow-up among men who have sex with men (MSM) in a prospective cohort study.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We recruited eligible HIV-negative MSM at baseline in eight cities from June to October 2009. Interviewer-administrated questionnaire and blood testings for HIV, syphilis and human simplex virus type 2, were accomplished upon enrollment, 6-month and 12-month follow-up visits in the program. Loss to follow-up was recorded at each visit in this cohort. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis were conducted to examine the associated factors on loss to follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 3196 eligible MSM were enrolled at the baseline study. During one year of follow-up, 894 (28.0%) of them dropped out thoroughly while 2302 (72.1%) showed up at least on one visit. Factors as MSM who were at age 25 or younger, resided locally less than 1 year, being unemployed, self-recognized as heterosexuality or bisexuality, never taking HIV testing in the past year, having had sex with women in the past 6 months etc., were more likely to withdraw from the follow-up visits. Conclusion Age, length of residency, sex orientation and history of HIV testing were associated with the loss of follow-up among MSM cohort in our study. These factors should be considered in this kind of study design in the future.</p>

Genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies of HIV-1 CRF07_BC among intravenous drug users / 病毒学报

To explore the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies in HIV-1 CRF07_BC infections among intravenous drug users (IDU), the gp120 fragments of HIV-1 env gene were amplified from plasma samples collected from 6 CRF07_BC infected persons using single genome amplification and sequencing (SGA/ SGS) method, and 11 to 28 sequences were obtained from these samples, respectively, A neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree was reconstructed to describe the genetic characteristics of viral quasispecies. The Simplot, segments' phylogenetic trees and diversity plots based on average pairwise distance (APD) were used to identify the recombination events between quasispecies. The SGA sequences derived from single specimen formed a large monophyletic cluster in the neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree and showed the complex topologic structures of viral quasispecies. Of the 6 CRF07_BC infected patients, only one possessed the high genetic homogeneity, whereas the other five individuals showed high heterogeneity, with two to four subclusters inside the monophyletic cluster for each specimen. In addition, the recombinant events were identified among viral quasispecies from 3 cases. The results show SGA technique and phylogenetic analyses are useful tool to investigate the intrahost CRF07_BC gp120 complex quasispecies variation and high genetic diversity.

Study on the incidence of HIV and associated risk factors through a prospective cohort among men who have sex with men in Beijing, China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the dynamic change and associated risk factors of HIV sero-conversion rate in Beijing.Methods 809 sero-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) were recruited in the cohort from August to December in 2009.HIV sero-antibody,medicinal examination and behavior questionnaire interview were carried out every six months.Results 962 MSM with overall baseline prevalence of HIV infection as 6.34％ (61/962) together with 809 seronegative MSM,were enrolled in the cohort.Of the 809 sero-negative participants,95.1％ (769/809),85.5％ ( 692/809 ) and 71.0％ ( 574/809 ) of them were retained in the 6-month,12-month and 18- month follow-up visits,with 19,29 and 17 of them became HIV sero-conversion at 6-month,12-month,and 18-month follow-up visits and the HIV incidence rates appeared to be 5.47,12.37 and 6.86 per 100 person-years respectively.The HIV incidence was 7.59 per 100 person-years in the 18 months follow-up visit.Factors including:younger than 25-years old (HR =2.32,95％CI:1.39-3.87),having more than 8 MSM partners (HR=2.50,95％CI:1.49-4.20),less than RMB 2000 Yuan every month income (HR=1.76,95％CI:1.06-2.95 ),having more than 4 homosexual partners in the last six months (HR=3.50,95％ CI:2.11 -5.81 ),showing phimosis and redundant prepuce (HR=2.47,95％ CI:1.50-4.07 ) as well as positive syphilis test (HR=2.62,95％CI:1.53-4.49) etc.,were significantly associated with HIV incidence.Conclusion High HIV incidence was shown among MSM in Beijing and had spread fast in this population,calling for more favorable prevention measures to be taken.

Analysis on the relationship between condom social norms and unprotected anal intercourse among men who have sex with men in Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To understand the prevalence of and factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse(UAI)among men who have sex with men(MSM)in Beijing.Methods Five hundred MSM were recruited for a survey using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS)method, from September to October in 2009. A computer-assisted, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to gather information including demographics, sexual behaviors and condom use social norms(a scaled number). Variables were evaluated by using RDSAT and SAS software.Results Mean age of the participants was 30.6 years, with 96.0% of them as Han ethnicity and68.5% having had at least high school or higher education level. 72.8% of them were unmarried, with 61.7% of them identified themselves as homosexual, 61.2% had ＞ 1 male partners in the past six months, and the prevalence of UAI was 42.0%. Significant bivariate predictors of UAI would include condom use social norms score, role for anal sex with male sex partner, number of male sexual partners in the past 6 months and amount of alcohol consumed. In multivariable analysis, UAI was associated with a higher condom use social norms score(AOR= 1.2, 95%CI: 1.1-1.3), receptive anal intercourse(AOR=2.0, 95%CI: 1.3-3.2)and drinking alcohol more than 3 times per month in the past 12 months(AOR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.5). Conclusion The prevalence of UAI was high in the MSM community in Beijing, suggesting that efforts should be targeting on how to make the condom use a social norm and being promoted.

The prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance and associated factors in AIDS patients receiving HAART in Zhecheng county, Henan province / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance and its main factors in AIDS patients receiving to HAART in Zhecheng county, Henan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>By cross-sectional survey, 378 AIDS patients who had received the national free antiretroviral therapy from July 2003 to March 2009 in Zhecheng county of Henan were selected. All recruits were interviewed and blood samples were collected. HIV-1 viral loads were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, HIV genotypic resistance was determined by an in-house polymerase chain reaction to amplify the HIV-1 pol gene region.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among 378 subjects receiving antiretroviral therapy, the prevalence of successful viral suppression was 42.9% (162/378), and HIV-1 drug resistance was detected in 47.1% (178/378) patients. The rate of resistance-associated mutations to non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) was 46.6% (176/378), 37.8% (143/378) and 1.9% (7/378), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the main risk factors associated with the prevalence of drug resistance included drug non-adherence (ratio of on-time drug intake in the past month < 90%:≥ 90% = 64.5% (40/62):43.7% (138/316), OR = 2.3, 95%CI: 1.3 - 4.1), and initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) with didanosine (DDI) (ART with DDI:ART with lamivudine (3TC) = 53.3% (137/257):33.9% (41/121), OR = 2.3, 95%CI = 1.1 - 4.5).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance among ART patients in Zhecheng county of Henan was high. Drug non-adherence and initiation of ART with DDI were the main factors of drug resistance.</p>

Analysis of gag-specific IFN-gamma secretion responses in HIV-1 B/C recombinant infectors / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the Gag-Specific T lymphocyte responses and identify immunodominant region recognized in Chinese HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C infectors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>10 antiretroviral treatment (ART) naive HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C infectors with infected time in 1 year, 25 ART-naive infectors with infected time > 3 years and 10 HIV-1-seronegative healthy individuals were enrolled. HIV-1-specific T lymphocyte responses were analyzed by an IFN-gamma Elispot assay against 123 overlapping peptides spanning HIV-1 Gag protein in the present study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gag-specific T lymphocyte responses of interferon-gamma secretion were identified in 8(8/10) Chinese HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/ C infectors with infected time in 1 year, the specific T lymphocytes are mainly targeted at five seperated peptides. Responses were identified in 17(68%) infectors with infected time more than 3 years, the specific T lymphocytes are mainly targeted at one peptide in p17 and six in p24. There was obviously positive correlation (P = 0.0318, r = 0.519) between the magnitude of responses and viremia in infectors infected time > 3 years. The magnitude of response in infectors infected in 1 year was significantly higher than group infected time > 3 years (P = 0.021). None of healthy individuals produced positive responses.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C Infectors at different stages of diseases recognize different region of gag.</p>

Drug resistance and associated factors on HIV in Liangshan prefecture, Sichuan province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the HIV drug resistance among HIV/AIDS patients who had received highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAATR) in Liangshan prefecture and related factors.Methods This investigation was conducted from August to October 2010.Data on epidemiology,treatment,CD4 + T cell,viral load and drug resistance tests were collected.Results 233 (73.50％) had a viral load of ＜ 1000 copy/ml,with the median CD4+T cell count as 329 cell/μl.26 samples appeared to be drug resistant,with the rate as 8.20％.Among 84 patients with antiviral therapy failure,the overall drug resistance rate was 30.95％(26/84).While 24 (28.57％) were resistant to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) drugs.Among nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI),7 (8.33％) were resistant.1 (1.19％) had protease inhibitor (PI)resistance mutations identified.Factors that significantly associated with drug resistance would include:being injecting drug users (A OR =3.37,95 ％ CI:1.06-10.66,P =0.0390),having had chronic diarrhea ＞1 month (AOR=8.38,95％ CI:1.87-37.69,P=0.0055),having had CD4+T cell＜200(AOR=3.48,95％CI:1.29-9.39,P=0.0139),being residents from Butuo area (AOR=17.68,95％ CI:4.97-62.86,P＜0.0001 ).When comparing with other areas,data from Butuo showed that people who carried Yi ethnicity (AOR=17.35,95％ CI:2.01-149.73,P=0.0095) and were literate (having had primary or higher levels of education) (AOR=0.18,95％ CI:0.08-0.42,P＜0.0001 ),being married or having cohabited relations (AOR=8.17,95％ CI:2.35-28.39,P=0.001 ) were found to be less adherent (AOR=0.05,95％ CI:0.02-0.13,P＜0.0001) to the treatment.Conclusion Successful antiviral outcomes were seen among those AIDS patients under treatment,in Liangshan prefecture.Resistance rates were significantly different in regions.For IDUs,enforcement on subjects including prevention on drug resistance,adherence to HAART and treatment for drug addiction should be strengthened and programs being integrated.

Incidence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis seroconversion among men who have sex with men in Beijing / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the incidence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis seroconversion among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 550 MSM were recruited on the basis of community and followed up after 6 and 12 months in Beijing. Each subject was investigated by only one investigator at one time to collect information on demographics and behaviors. Blood samples were collected to test HIV and syphilis seroconversion. ELISA was used for screening test, west blotting (WB) and Particle agglutination were used for confirmatory test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 550 MSM investigated, among which 4.5% (25/550) were HIV-positive and 29.3% (161/550) were syphilis-positive. For 525 HIV-negative MSM, 87.0% (457/525) retained during the 12-month investigation. Seroincidence for HIV and syphilis were 3.37/100 person-years (95%CI = 1.66 - 5.08) and 9.32/100 person-years (95%CI = 5.87 - 12.77) respectively. HIV seroconversions for those who performed and did not perform rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse in the past 3 months were 7.11/100 and 0.76/100 person-years respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse in the past 3 months (HR = 9.23, 95%CI = 2.08 - 40.88) was significantly associated with HIV seroconversion. Syphilis seroconversions for those who met male sex partners in parks, public washrooms or bathhouses in the past 3 months were 41.77/100 and 7.97/100 person-years respectively. Syphilis seroconversions for those who performed and did not perform rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse in the past 3 months were 16.17/100 and 4.92/100 person-years respectively. In the past 3 months, meeting male sex partners in parks, public washrooms or bathhouses (HR = 4.67, 95%CI = 1.77 - 12.34) and performing rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse (HR = 3.09, 95%CI = 1.40 - 6.83) were significantly associated with syphilis seroconversion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The seroconversions of HIV and syphilis during the follow-up visits in this MSM cohort study in Beijing were very serious, and that the associated factors for seroconversions were rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse and meeting male sex partners in parks, public washrooms or bathhouses.</p>

Study on the relationship between behavioral factors,psychological status and HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the prevalence and risk factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing. Methods A sample of 550 MSM was recruited between March and June in 2008 in Beijing. Interviewer-administered interviews were conducted to collect information on demographics and behaviors. Blood samples were collected to test for HIV,syphilis,HBsAg and HCV infections. Chi-square test and logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors associated with HIV infection. Results Of the 550 eligible MSM surveyed,HIV prevalence appeared to be 4.5% (25/550). Data from multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that factors as reporting unprotected anal intercourse with causal male sexual partners in the last month (X~2=11.381,P=0.001),rectal douching after homosexual anal intercourse in the past three months (X~2=5.326,P=0.021),feeling sad in the last month (X~2=8.809,P=0.003) were significantly associated with HIV infection. Conclusion Health education on safer sex behavior and mental health care should be taken to hinder the speed of HIV transmission among MSM.

HIV-specific IL-2(+) and/or IFN-γ(+) CD8(+) T cell responses during chronic HIV-1 infection in former blood donors / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Conflicting data have been generated from previous studies to determine which kind of relationship exists between HIV-1 specific CD8 Tcell responses and HIV-1 viral load or CD4 count over the course of infection. In this study, 153 HIV-1 infected LTNPs were enrolled to investigate the role of HIV-1 specific CD8 T-cell responses in chronic HIV-1 infection among HIV-1 infected former blood donors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The patients were stratified into three groups according to CD4 count: CD4≥500 cells/μL; 350 cells/μL≤CD4<500 cells/μL; CD4<350 cells/μL. PBMCs were isolated from the patients' anticoagulated blood samples. IL-2 and IFN-γ secretions of CD 8 T cells against 17 HIV-1 consensus B full peptide pools were analyzed by using ICS assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>An overall inverse correlation were observed between CD4 count and plasma viral load. Although no significant difference was observed during the comparisons of frequency/breadth of HIV-1 specific CD8 T cell responses, CD4 count stratification analysis showed that different correlation pattern existed in three strata: as for patients whose CD4 counts were less than 350 cells/μL, no significant correlations were identified between frequency/breadth of HIV-1 specific CD8 T cell responses and CD4 count/viral load; as for patients whose CD4 counts ranged from 350 cells/μL to 500 cells/μL, significant correlation was only observed between the response breadth of IL-2+IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells and CD4 count; however, as for patients whose CD4 counts were more than 500 cells/μL, direct correlations were identified between IL-2+IFN-γ+/IL-2+/IFN-γ+ CD8 T cells and viral load or CD4 count.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Universal consistent inverse correlation was only indentified between CD4 count and viral load. The relationship between HIV-1 specific CD8 T cell responses and CD4 count/viral load varied in different CD4 strata, which showed that better preserved CD4 T cells were correlated with better CD8 T cell functions.</p>

Genetic variation of gag gene in HIV-1 subtype B infections from Henan and Shanxi provinces of China / 病毒学报

The 109 whole blood samples were collected from HIV-1 infected former blood donors in Henan and Shanxi. The RNA templates were extracted from plasma and used for the full gag gene amplification and sequencing. The sequences were divided into 3 groups according to sampling year. The Entropy software was used to identify the amino acids with composition difference among different groups of amino acid sequences. The results showed that there existed 8 and 13 amino acid sites with the statistical significance difference, respectively, in sequences in year 2004 and 2005, compared to those in 2002. Among them, there existed 5 amino acid sites in two groups. Of 16 amino acid sites, the increasing polymorphism and the decreasing polymorphism along the sampling year were observed in 10 and 6 amino acid sites respectively. Of 10 sites with increased polymorphism, 8 sites were located in the CTL epitopes recognized and presented by the main HLA alleles existed in Chinese population. The 6 sites with decreasing polymorphism all existed in main domains of Gag proteins.

The median survival and the effect of antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive former blood donors in Anhui province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To estimate the median survival and the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive former blood donors of Fuyang in Anhui province, China. Methods A retrospective survey was conducted among HIV-positive former blood donors, and data was collected on survivors who had received ART. Weibull function was used to calculate median survival of HIV-positive former blood donors. The effect of ART was estimated through comparing the actual number of deaths after ART with the expected number of deaths in those who did not receive ART. Results The median period of HIV infection was at the end of 1994, with the median survival of HIV-positive former blood donors in Fuyang as 10.8 years. By the end of September 2008, among 159 former blood donors, 74 received ART, with their mean CD4+ T-cell count increased from 247.8/μl to 475.1/μl (P<0.0001). 76 of the 159 former blood donors died. When comparing the expected number of deaths calculated by Weibull function, 31.7% of the total number of deaths was reduced. Conclusion Result from this study was in consistent to the UNAIDS' figures that in the absence of treatment, the net median survival time after infection with HIV was estimated to be 11 years and ART has reduced about one third of the expected deaths.

Complete human immunodeficiency virus-1 specific T lymphocyte response to Chinese human immunodeficiency virus-1 B/C chronic infectors / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -specific T lymphocyte responses and identify the immunodominant regions in Chinese HIV-1 recombinant subtype B/C chronic infectors at complete genome level.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five HIV-1B/C recombinant chronic infectors were screened for their specific T lymphocyte responses to a panel of peptides corresponding to the complete HIV-1 subtype B genome by gamma interferon ELISPOT assay. Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analysis of variance was used to test significant differences across gene regions, and Tukey pairwise analysis was used to identify differences between gene regions. Spearman rank correlation was used to assess the relation between responses. Results The order of recognized frequencies of specific T lymphocyte responses to HIV proteins was Nef>Vpr>Gag>Pol>Vpu>Env>Rev>Vif>Tat. When adjusted for protein length, Nef, Vpr, Gag, and Pol were the most intensely targeted proteins and the central region of Nef, Gag p24, Pol RT, and Vpr was most frequently recognized. No significant correlation was observed between the magnitude of IFN-gamma production of HIV-l-specific T lymphocyte responses and plasma viremia, breadth of response and CD4 counts. Conclusion The central region of Nef, Gag p24, Pol RT, and Vpr is most frequently targeted in HIV-1 B/C recombinants chronic infectors. HIV-l-specific T lymphocyte responses and plasma viremia or CD4 counts play no protective role at complete genome level in these infectors.</p>

Study on the threshold of HIV-1 drug resistance in Hunan province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To survey the prevalence of HIV-1 drug resistance in patients newly diagnosed as HIV positive and who were younger than 25 years of age but had not received treatment with antiretroviral treatment (ART) in Hunan province.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum specimens of HIV infected individuals were collected and HIV-1 pol genetic mutations associated with drug resistance were identified with PCR and interpreted with Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total number of 69 patients whose HIV sequences were amplified successfully with 2 (2.9%) specimens appeared mutations associated with HIV-1 drug resistance in the reverse transcriptase region, including one as V75M and the other one as K103N and V181C. Data showed that the prevalence of drug resistance in Hunan was 2.9%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The first line regiments of national ART seemed still effective. Most of the AIDS patients did not need to be tested on drug resistance status before starting ART. However, it is important to start HIV drug resistance surveillance in no time.</p>

Detection of recent HIV-1 infections among men who have sex with men in Beijing during 2005 - 2006 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Men who have sex with men (MSM) have become one of the most risky populations for HIV infection in China. Though several cross-sectional sero-prevalence studies have been conducted, the annual HIV incidence remains unknown in this population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We applied IgG-capture BED-enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA) to define the recent HIV-1 infections among MSM in Beijing in the years 2005 and 2006 and the annual HIV incidence was estimated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Overall, 1067 MSM samples were collected, including 526 samples in the year 2005 and 541 in 2006. In 2005, of 17 HIV seropositive samples, 7 were identified as recent HIV-1 infections and the estimated HIV infection incidence was 2.9% per year (95% CI, 0.8% - 5.0%). In 2006, of 26 HIV seropositive samples, 9 were identified as recent HIV-1 infections and the estimated annual incidence was 3.6% (95% CI, 1.3% - 5.9%), which was 0.7% higher than that in 2005. Individuals engaging in male group sexual intercourse (5.17% vs 0.87%, P = 0.019) and having receptive anal sexual intercourse more than five times (2.79% vs 0.33%, P = 0.047) in the past 6 months significantly increase the risk of being infected by HIV-1.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A high level of annual HIV-1 infection incidence was observed among MSM in Beijing for the consecutive years 2005 and 2006 with a continuous increasing trend. The rising incidence and related high risk behavior among MSM alarmed the health authorities and calls for more effective intervention strategies among this population.</p>

Dynamic variation of HIV-1 CRF07_BC env gene in early HIV-1 infection / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the evolution of HIV-1 CRF07_BC envelope, we performed a longitudinal study on two patients during their early HIV-1 infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RNA was extracted from the plasma of the individuals and the C2-C5 fragments of the gp120 gene of HIV-1 were amplified by RT-PCR. Purified DNA segments were inserted into T easy vector and transformed into E. coli Top 10 competent cells. Positive clones were identified by blue-white screening, confirmed by PCR and sequenced by ABI 3700.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The samples were collected from the patients every 6 months from seroconversion time. The genetic diversity and divergence in env gene showed consistent increases over time. Our sequence analysis also revealed obvious non-synonymous change in env C1, C3 and V4 regions among these samples.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results support the concept that the consistent pattern of viral evolution existed during early phase of HIV-1 infection. C1, C3 and V4 region of env gene may be mainly immunological target during AIDS progression.</p>

Effect of GBV-C/HIV coinfection on HIV/AIDS disease progression and HIV replication / 病毒学报

Several research groups have recently reported that persistent GB virus C (GBV-C) co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) leads to slower AIDSs disease progression than HIV-1 infection alone. However, these findings were not confirmed by several other studies. To investigate the association between GBV-C replication and plasma HIV loads and CD4+ T cell counts, 203 HIV-1 positive former blood/plasma donors(FBDs) were enrolled from Fuyang city of Anhui Province in China. Plasma specimens were collected from them and were tested for GBV-C using RT-PCR and ELISA. Out of 203 specimens, 52 (25.6%) cases were positive for GBV-C, including 35 male (67.3%) and 17 female (32.7%) cases. No significant association was identified between GBV-C infection and CD4+ T-cell counts or between GBV-C infection and HIV viral loads. Since all the subjects studied were naive to ART, the influence of therapy on AIDS disease progression was ruled out in this study. Overall, our data indicated that HIV-1 positive male FBDs were prone to be infected, GBV-C coinfection with HIV-1 does not significantly influence HIV/AIDS disease progression during the late stage of chronic HIV-1 infection.

Nef mutations in long-term non-progressors from former plasma donors infected with HIV-1 subtype B in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the specific amino acid variation in Nef that may be related to disease progression after infection with HIV-1 subtype B, a predominant strain circulating in China, and to determine whether changes in Nef secondary structure may influence different stages of AIDS development based on the concept that the Nef gene of HIV infection dramatically alter the severity of viral infection and virus replication and disease progression, and that long-term non-progressors (LTNP) of HIV infection are commonly associated with either a deletion of the Nef gene or the defective Nef alleles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The study subjects were divided into LTNP1(n=14), LTNP2 (n=16) and slow progressor (SP, n=19) groups for mutational analysis of the Nef sequence. The data were obtained by using Bioedit, MEGA, Anthewin and SAS software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Residues in Nef TA(48/49) and K151 occurred more frequently in the LTNP group while AA(48/49) was more frequently observed in the SP group. Of the differences observed in the secondary structure comparison using Nef consensus sequences of these three groups, one was roughly corresponding to the Nef(48/49) mutation site.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TA(48/49), K(151), and AA(48/49) in the Nef gene might be associated with the different stages of HIV infection, and there may be a link between the Nef secondary structure and the progression of HIV-1 infection.</p>