Main Routes of Transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Infection in a Family Setting in Palermo, Italy1

Abstract

A cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study was carried out on household contacts and sexual partners of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody-positive intravenous drug abusers in Palermo, Italy, in 1985 to evaluate factors that influenced HIV transmission. A total of 43 index cases, 36 spouses or heterosexual partners, 28 children, and 55 adult household members were enrolled. None of the household members without sexual contact, who had shared items and facilities and had interacted with the index cases, contracted HIV infection. However, six of 36 sexual partners had antibodies to HIV. It was observed that the risk of HIV infection was significantly associated with the frequency of sexual intercourse with the seropositive partner. Four children were also found to be infected: two had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related complex, and the other two were clinically and immunologically normal. Furthermore, one other child had evidence of passive transfer of maternal antibodies. The infection was confined to the younger children (ranging in age from eight months to three years). The data support a high rate of vertical transmission from mother to infant, an intermediate rate of transmission to sexual partners, and no transmission attributable to household contact.

In silico and in vivo studies of gp120-HIV-derived peptides in complex with G4-PAMAM dendrimers

“…Sexual intercourse is the most common HIV transmission route. 3 Therefore, mucosal immunity is crucial to block HIVsexual transmission; thus, it is the best anatomical region to serve as a focus for strategies for HIV-1 prevention and/or treatment. 4 The HIV envelope glycoprotein (i.e., gp120) is the major target for the design of prophylactic vaccines against HIV; 5 gp120 consists of ve variable regions (V1-V5) and ve constant regions (C1-C5) connected by an antiparallel sheet.…”

Late postnatal HIV infection in children born to HIV-1-infected mothers in a high-income country

“…No history of such practice was noticed in any of these cases, though the hypothesis of sexual abuse is often difficult to confirm and might be considered, especially for the older children. The risk of HIV transmission after mucous-membrane exposure, skin exposure to HIV-infected blood or body secretions without visible blood, bites without break in skin and after sharing personal hygiene items is considered to be very small, even in household contacts with potential multiple exposures [17][18][19][20]. However, some cases of intrafamilial HIV transmission have been reported, sometimes in homes in which healthcare has been provided [21,22]; in the majority of the other reports of transmission in household settings, a blood contact has been described or supposed [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29].…”

Knowledge and practices regarding Hepatitis B and HIV-AIDS among Beauty salon workers and hairdressers in Karachi, Pakistan

“…Common causes of the spread of viral hepatitis include unscreened blood transfusions between family members, unsterilized razors in barber shops, beauty salons, unsterilized surgical instruments and unprotected sexual intercourse with an affected partner (Mutocheluh & Kwarteng, 2015). For its part, HIV transmission risk factors include unscreened blood transfusions, intravenous drug use, perinatal transmission and unprotected sexual intercourse (Romano et al, 1988). A safe and effective vaccine against HBV has been available for 20 years and is effective in preventing infection and the serious consequences of hepatitis, including liver cancer and cirrhosis, but there is no vaccine available for HCV or HIV (Pennap et al, 2010).…”