A cross-sectional survey of drug users who were selected by "snowballing" method between March 15 and May 30, 1999 in Haiphong City was conducted. Subjects (n=520: 514 males and 6 females) were interviewed and provided blood spescimens for HIV-1 antibody testing. Mean age of the subjects was 25 years, sixty-one percent (319/520) reported injecting drug. The 218 subjects (68%) were ever shared needles. The HIV-1 prevalence in Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) was 74%. Factors related to the presence of HIV antibody were sharing needles (OR: 4.12; 95%CI: 1.82-9.31), and injecting more than 31 times per month (OR: 2.37; 95%CI: 1.04-5.42). Extramarital sex within the last six months was reported by 44% of single and 24% of married IDUs. The high HIV-1 prevalence in IDUs suggests that preventive interventions for risk reductions of HIV-1 transmission are urgently needed in these populations.
HIV-1 ; HIV Infections

The subtypes of HIV-1 from 106 HIV infected persons were determined by using the nested PCR method. Some results might be drawn: the HIV-1 samples from 83% of the investigated persons were E subtypes. The coexistence of B- and E- subtypes were observed in 8 out of 106 examined patients (7.6%). Non E- non B subtypes HIV-1 were also shown in 5.7% of the studied subjects. 40% of the newborns of mothers suffered from HIV-1 infection were infected. Their HIV-1 were all E-subtypes.
HIV-1 ; HIV Infections

Despite the tremendous efforts to develop a successful human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine, the quest for a safe and effective HIV vaccine seems to be remarkably long and winding. Disappointing results from previous clinical trials of VaxGen's AIDSVAXgp120 vaccine and MRKAd5 HIV-1 Gag/Pol/Nef vaccine emphasize that understanding the correlates of immune protection in HIV infection is the key to solve the puzzle. The modest vaccine efficacy from RV144 trial and the successive results obtained from the correlate of risk analysis have reinvigorated the HIV vaccine research field leading to various novel strategies. This paper will review the brief history and recent advances in HIV vaccine development.
HIV Infections ; HIV* ; HIV-1 ; Vaccines ; Wind

No Abstract Available.
HIV-1* ; Transcription Factors*

This study was done in 2004. Subgenotypes of HIV were determined by DNA sequencing technique at 3 gene regions of HIV-l: envelope, protease and reverse transcriptase. Our results showed that the recombinant virus CRFOI AlE was still predominant (98%) in Ho Chi Minh city. A new recombinant form HIV-l of subtype B and CRFOIAIE was also detected. The presence of a new recombinant form of HIV-1 derived from two different subtypes warns that the HIV epidemic in this region is more and more complex with the immigration and co-infection with different genetic subtypes of HIV.
HIV-1 ; DNA

Apoptosis ; HIV Infections ; HIV-1 ; Humans

OBJECTIVEAn approach for analysis of HIV quasispecies using Miseq high-throughput sequencing platform (hereinafter referred to as Miseq platform) was established and applied to contact tracing for a possible case of HIV sexual transmission.

METHODSFour plasma specimens were collected from 2 HIV infections (P1 and P2) suspected to be involved in the sexual transmission and 2 local HIV infections as controls (P3 and P4). The RNAs were extracted from the specimens and then reverse-transcribed into cDNA. After HIV subtyping, Miseq platform was performed to detect and sequence the HIV quasispecies (352 bp) in each specimen. The frequency of quasispecies was counted and ranked. Intrapersonal and interpersonal genetic distance and phylogenetic tree were calculated by using the top 5, 20, 100, 500, and all quasispecies, respectively.

RESULTSThe subtypes of HIV from all 4 specimens were CRF01_AE. 23 788 to 37 397 cleaned sequences representing 1 229 to 1 412 unique HIV quasispecies were obtained from these specimens by using Miseq platform. The average genetic distance (3.5%-4.5%) between quasispecies from specimens P2 and P1 was significantly lower than that (10.3%-19.6%) between quasispecies from P2 and the controls (P3 or P4). Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that sequences from specimens P1 and P2 clustered together while sequences from P3 and P4 exhibited completely independent clusters. When the top 20 or more quasispecies from each specimen were analyzed, sequences from P1 showed a paraphyletic relationship with those from P2, which may indicated that the direction of HIV transmission was from P1 to P2.

CONCLUSIONWith the feature of convenient and economic operation, Miseq platform has high practical value in contact tracing of possible HIV transmission.

Background: HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS. This virus is passed from one person to another through blood-to-blood and sexual contact. In addition, infected pregnant women can pass HIV to their baby during pregnancy or delivery, as well as through breast-feeding. Objectives:To study the CCR5- 32 and SDF 1-3 A allelic frequence in the HIV -1 infected mothers and their children. Subjects and method: Amplificated on CCR5 and SDF1 gene by PCR and restriction of this fragment length polymorphisme (RLFP) assay for detection of the mutated gene by EcoR1 and Hpall. Results: No mutation of CCR5 was found but only mutation identified at the SDF1 gene. Mutation identified at the SDF1 gene of the mother was: homozygote 2.7% (accounted for 2/37 cases), heterozygote 40.54% (accounted for 15/37 cases) and at the children: homozygote 5.4% (accounted for 1/37 cases), heterozygote 45.95% (accounted for 17/37 cases). The CCR5 chemokin receptor is a co-receptor for M trofic HIV-1 strains, which predominate in the early stage of the HIV disease and SDF-1 natural ligand for the CXCR4 reception. The mutation of these genes protect from HIV-1 infection (slow progression).\r\n', u'Conclusion: It\u2019s necessary to find the mutation of CCR5 and CCR2b related the progression of HIV patients. \r\n', u'
HIV-1/ metabolism ; Receptors ; CCR5

No Abstract Available.
Anti-HIV Agents* ; Complement System Proteins* ; HIV-1*

A series of modified oligonucleotides containing P=S backbone and a six-membered azasugar (6-AZS) were synthesized and tested for their ability to inhibit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro without the aid of any transfecting agents. While P=S oligonucleotides with natural nucleotides had little anti-HIV-1 activity, six-membered azasugar nucleotide (6-AZN)-containing P=S oligonucleotides (AZPSON) potently inhibited the HIV-1/SHIV production and syncytium formation in vitro (EC50 = 0.02~0.2 micro M) without cytotoxicity up to 100 micro M. AZPSONs are enzymatically stable over 6 days in culture supernatant. Phosphodiester (P=O) backbone only or mixed backbone (P=O and P=S) oligonucleotides that contain 6-AZN did not exhibit anti-HIV-1 activity. The anti-HIV-1 capacity of AZPSON seems to depend on the number and/or distribution patterns of 6-AZN in the oligonucleotides. The oligomer 2198, most effective for anti-HIV-1 activity among the AZPSONs, was much more effective than ddI or ddC in anti-HIV activity. Particularly noteworthy is that the anti-HIV-1 activity of AZPSON-2198 was better than AZT in the long-lasting efficacy after a single treatment.
Giant Cells ; HIV ; HIV-1 ; Nucleotides ; Oligonucleotides ; Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides*