Seroprevalence of HIV infection in high risk groups in Manipur.

PIP: As part of a government surveillance program aimed at tracking the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), 635 individuals from the Indian state of Manipur who were considered at high risk of infection were screened in 1986-87 for antibodies to HIV. Screening was accomplished through use of commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits supplied by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Ministry of Health. The Manipur sample included 248 patients from sexually transmitted disease clinics, many of whom were prostitutes; 255 intravenous drug abusers; 51 professional blood donors; 66 recipients of multiple blood transfusions; 10 homosexuals; and 5 patients who did not belong to any identified risk group, but demonstrated symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related complex (ARC). 554 of those screened were male and 81 were female; 77% were in the 21-30-year age group. Of the 635 serum samples tested, none showed antibodies to HIV. However, since Manipur is a border state and its capital city, Imphal, is a focal point for illicit drug trafficking, continued surveillance of high-risk groups is recommended. By 1987, a total of 145 HIV-positive cases had been identified in India, largely from the southern part of the country.^ieng