Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) from Buenos Aires, Argentina: A Suitable Group for HIV Clinical Trials

M. PANDO; M. WEISSENBACHER; R. MARONE; S.M. MONTANO; A. CARBALLO-DIEGUEZ4; H. SALOMÓN; M.M. AVILA

Bangkok

Congreso; AIDS Vaccine 2011; 2011

AIDS VACCINE 2011

Background: For the past ten years (2000-2010), Argentina’s researchers have conducted HIV-related studies among men who have sex with men (MSM) in collaboration with an MSM NGO (Nexo Asociación Civil). This review is aimed at establishing feasibility and suitability of conducting HIV clinical trials on MSM in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Methods: Several cross-sectional studies and one follow-up cohort study were analyzed to determine HIV prevalence, incidence, and subtyping; risk factors; circumcision; behavioral factors; and willingness to participate in vaccine trials among MSM. Results: The estimated HIV prevalence has been 11-14% during the past ten years (800-1000 volunteers/year). HIV incidence, both in the cohort study and in cross sectional studies (Detune) was 4-6% persons-year. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that subtype B was the most common subtype present in MSM; yet, a higher frequency of non-B-subtypes (BF recombinants) was found in the last study conducted by the team as compared to previous studies (30.4% vs.10.5%, p