Molecular and epidemiological characteristics of blood-borne virus infections among recent immigrants in Spain.

The increased immigration from developing regions to Western countries raises public health concerns related to blood-borne viruses. The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infections among recent immigrants attending several Spanish diagnostic centers in years 2002 and 2003 was examined. Genetic characterization of viral subtypes and its relationship with distinct at-risk populations was carried out. A total of 1,303 immigrants were identified. They originated in Latin America (46.9%), Sub-Saharan Africa (23.7%), Eastern Europe (9.4%), and the Maghreb (9.2%). Seroprevalence rates were as follows: HIV-1 4.2%, HBV 4.1%, HCV 2.9%, and HTLV-1 0.8%. All patients with HIV-1 non-B subtypes, HBV genotypes E and A3, and HCV genotype 4 were sub-Saharan Africans, and had been infected mainly through heterosexual contacts. In contrast, Latin American homo/bisexual men carried HIV-1 subtype B most likely acquired after their arrival to Spain. In conclusion, while Sub-Saharan Africans carry wide diverse genetic variants of blood-borne viruses, the absence of high-risk practices in most cases could limit the spread of these variants. In contrast, Latin Americans with high-risk sexual practices may be a particularly vulnerable collective to acquire blood-borne viruses in the receptor country.

Toro C ，Jiménez V ，Rodríguez C ，Del Romero J ，Rodés B ，Holguín A ，Alvarez P ，García-Campello M ，Gómez-Hernando C ，Guelar A ，Sheldon J ，de Mendoza C ，Simón A ，Soriano V ... -  《JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY》

Serological and molecular screening for viruses in blood donors from Ntcheu, Malawi: high prevalence of HIV-1 subtype C and of markers of hepatitis B and C viruses.

The prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I), and hepatitis B (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined in blood donors from Ntcheu, Malawi. Each donation was also screened for HIV-1 RNA and HCV RNA. Among 159 blood donations, the prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 10.7%, 8.1% for HBV carriage, 6.8% for anti-HCV, and 2.5% for anti-HTLV-I. HIV-1/HTLV-I and HIV-1/HCV dual infections were observed in 1.2% of the donations. Consequently, 13% of blood donors from Ntcheu should be deferred for retroviral infections and 15% for hepatitis viral infections. Sequence analyses of the HIV-1 strains revealed a relatively homogeneous circulation of subtype C viruses in Malawi. These findings confirm the high endemicity of blood-borne viruses in Malawi and the need for a sensitive viral screening of blood donations to improve blood safety.

Candotti D ，Mundy C ，Kadewele G ，Nkhoma W ，Bates I ，Allain JP ... -  《JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY》

Molecular epidemiology of HIV, HBV, HCV, and HTLV-1/2 in drug abuser inmates in central Javan prisons, Indonesia.

Prasetyo AA ，Dirgahayu P ，Sari Y ，Hudiyono H ，Kageyama S ... -  《Journal of Infection in Developing Countries》

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and other viral co-infections among young heterosexual men and women in Argentina.

de los Angeles Pando M ，Biglione MM ，Toscano MF ，Rey JA ，Russell KL ，Negrete M ，Gianni S ，Martinez-Peralta L ，Salomon H ，Sosa-Estani S ，Montano SM ，Olson JG ，Sanchez JL ，Carr JK ，Avila MM ... -  《AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE》

Residual risk of transfusion transmitted human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human T lymphotrophic virus.

Seed CR ，Kiely P ，Keller AJ 《INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL》