Clinical and epidemiological features of HIV Dual infections in Argentina.

J.C. AMBROSIONI CZYRKO, G. ANDREANI, D. PUGLIESE, L. REDINI, S.M. OLIVA, J.K. CARR, L. MARTÍNEZ PERALTA, J. BENETUCCI.

Sydney, Australia, 22-25 de Julio 2007.

Congreso; 4th IAS CONFERENCE ON HIV PATHOGENESIS, TREATMENT AND PREVENTION.; 2007

International Aids Society

Objectives: Early molecular epidemiology studies in Argentina showed a high prevalence of HIV subtype B among men who have sex with men (MSM) and of BF recombinants in heterosexual population and injecting drug users (IDUs). Patients infected with more than one subtype have been described worldwide. However, dual infection studies are scarce in our country. Methods: Between Sep/2004 and Mar/2006, informed consents were obtained from 32 individuals with double transmission risk from Buenos Aires, Argentina (male patients that have had sex with men and women; and male IDUs that have had sex with men). A questionnaire about risk assessment was provided to the participants. The infecting subtype was determined by limiting dilution sequencing. Results: Thirty two patients were selected, 95% male, median age: 39yo; 29 of them on HAART. Eight patients were initially studied because of their STI history and viral load fluctuations. Three of them were found to have a dual HIV infection. Two patients were infected with subtype B and BF recombinants, and one with two different BF recombinants. The three patients were male, younger than 40yo, and had a prolonged HIV infection at the moment of the study, but all of them had a benign disease progression. Two of them were receiving HAART and the other one had never needed it. Two patients (including the BF-BF infected one) were IDUs. We found only the BF recombinant in the samples of the stable sexual partner of one of the dual B and BF infected patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that HIV dual infection can occur with related subtypes, and even with different variants of the same recombinant form in certain populations. Clinical observations showed no agggressive disease progression in the dual infected patients. Efforts need to be made to increase prevention of HIV superinfection.