The impact of immigration on env HIV-1 subtype distribution among heterosexuals in the Netherlands: influx of subtype B and non-B strains

• Published in: AIDS (London) Vol. 15; no. 17; pp. 2277 - 2286
• Main Authors: Op de Coul, Eline L. M., Coutinho, Roel A., van der Schoot, Audrey, van Doornum, Gerard J. J., Lukashov, Vladimir V., Goudsmit, Jaap, Cornelissen, Marion
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 23.11.2001
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Female; Genetic Heterogeneity; Heterosexuality; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - classification; HIV Envelope Protein gp120 - genetics; HIV Infections - blood; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - transmission; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1 - classification; HIV-1 - genetics; HIV-1 - isolation & purification; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Netherlands - epidemiology; Peptide Fragments - classification; Peptide Fragments - genetics; Phylogeny; Population Surveillance; Risk Factors; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Netherlands; Europe; Human; Immunopathology; Typing; HIV-1 virus; Heterosexuality; Phylogenetic tree; Retroviridae; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Infection; Virus; Microbiological investigation; Geographic distribution; Viral disease; Distribution; Molecular epidemiology; Immigration; Human immunodeficiency virus; Subtype
• ISSN: 0269-9370
• DOI: 10.1097/00002030-200111230-00009

To examine the epidemiological factors influencing the distribution and spread of HIV-1 subtypes among heterosexuals in the Netherlands. A nationwide serosurveillance in 21 HIV/AIDS centres from 1997 to 1999 involved 200 individuals for whom the mode of HIV transmission was heterosexual contact or unknown. HIV-1 subtypes were determined by phylogenetic analysis of env V3 sequences and correlated with sociodemographic characteristics of the subjects and their sexual partners. HIV-1 subtype B infection occurred in 121 subjects (60%). Non-B subtypes were identified in 31 (A), 24 (C), 10 (D), six (E), four (F) and three (G) individuals; one had an unclassified subtype. The proportion of subtype B was about 60% in four of the six regions of the Netherlands, but in the Northwest and Southwest regions these proportions were 76% and 46%, respectively. The Surinamese and Antilleans, large immigrant groups, were all infected with subtype B, as were almost all individuals with an unknown source. The proportions of non-B viruses did not change significantly over time in Amsterdam, where subtyping was available from 1988 onward, but a shift in the various subtype B strains was observed, suggesting introductions of new subtype B strains in Amsterdam. To date, HIV-1 non-B subtypes in the Netherlands are still found predominantly among heterosexuals with an epidemiological link with sub-Saharan Africa. Despite continuing introductions of non-B subtypes, the B/non-B distribution has been stable over time, most likely as a result of introductions of subtype B strains from Caribbean and South American countries.