Epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Viral Hepatitis (B and C), Treponema pallidum, and Human T-Cel Lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

MARIA A. PANDO; CHRISTIAN T. BAUTISTA; SERGIO MAULEN; RICARDO DURANTI; RUBEN MARONE; JORGE REY; MOIRA VIGNOLES; MARIA EMILIA EIRIN; MIRNA BIGLIONE; GLORIA GRIEMBERG; SILVIA MONTANO; JEAN CARR; JOSE SANCHEZ; MARIA AVILA

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS

Lugar: Philadelphia; Año: 2006 vol. 33 p. 307 - 313

0148-5717

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) are prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM). Goal: To estimate the prevalence for HIV and STIs in this group. Study: A total of 694 MSM were tested for HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), human T-cell lymphotropic (HTLV-I/II) viruses and Treponema pallidum infection. Results: HIV, HBV, and T pallidum were detected in 13.8%, 37.7%, and 16.9% of subjects, respectively. Prevalences of 1.9% and 0.3% were detected for HCV and HTLV-I/II. A prior history of STI was the most predictor for HIV, HBV, and T pallidum. Use of illegal drugs, blood transfusion history, and multiple sexual partners were associated with HCV. The 2 most common coinfections were HBV/T pallidum and HIV/ HBV. Conclusions: Infection with HIV, HBV, and T pallidum was elevated among MSM. Routine testing, education, vaccine-based prevention, and control programs need to be implemented in this high-risk population.