Rapidly Increasing Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis and HIV-1 Subtype Characterization Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Jiangsu, China

Abstract

The rapidly increasing prevalence and complex subtypes of HIV-1 suggest that effective prevention and intervention strategies are urgently needed for MSM in Jiangsu.

The Epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Syphilis Infection, and the Correlates of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China

“…Our results were similar to those in the surrounding provinces (e.g., Shanghai, Anhui, and Shandong) (16)(17)(18), in which CRF01_AE appeared to be the most predominant HIV-1 genotype. However, the subtype distribution of HIV-1 among MSM in Zhenjiang was significantly different from that reported by Guo et al (12) in Jiangsu. They reported that 3 major subtypes including subtype B, CRF01, and B/C inter-subtype recombinants (especially CRF07) were circulating among MSM in Nanjing and Yangzhou, Jiangsu.…”

“…However, the HIV-HCV co-infection rate in Zhenjiang (0.2z) was lower than the prevalence (1.94z) among HIV-infected MSM in China (14). This showed that the HCV infection rate was still at a quite low level among HIV-infected MSM in China, especially in Jiangsu (0z) (12).…”

“…While it is reported (19) that CRF01_AE was the most predominant strain circulating in the sexual transmission group (including heterosexuals and homosexuals), CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC were the major circulating subtypes among IDU in China. Guo et al recruited MSM from 2 bathhouses in Nanjing and Yangzhou, Jiangsu and surmised that the emergence of a high proportion of B/C recombinants (especially CRF07) among MSM was possibly introduced through IDU by phylogenetic analysis (12). In our survey, most participants were recruited from gay bars.…”

“…These results were similar to those of studies reported for other cities in Jiangsu Province. Guo et al (12) reported that the prevalence rates of HIV, HCV, and syphilis infection among MSM were 5.8z, 0.7z, and 27.7z in a comprehensive survey involving MSM in Nanjing and Yangzhou, Jiangsu. Our results for the HIV and syphilis infection rates were higher than the overall prevalence (HIV 4.9z and syphilis 11.8z) among MSM in a larger national survey across 61 cities (13), which suggested that the HIV and syphilis epidemic is more serious in Jiangsu than nationwide.…”

Sexual Practices and the Prevalence of HIV and Syphilis among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Lanzhou, China

“…Furthermore, it is estimated that 48,000 people have been newly infected with HIV, of whom more than 30z are infected via male homosexual transmission. These data indicate a rapid spread of the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China (2). Among the high-risk groups of HIV infection, MSM play an important role in transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from their high-risk male sexual partners to their low-risk female partners (2), and unprotected sexual behaviors facilitate this transmission.…”