Introduction of HIV-1 subtypes C, E and A into Austria

Abstract

Background: Different subtypes of HIV-1 are prevalent in various geographical regions. Knowledge of their distribution is of importance with respect to possible differences in biological properties (such as reported for subtype E) as well as to diagnostic problems that may arise when specific subtypes are not recognized by standard serological assays.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to investigate the presence of the five major subtypes of HIV-1 (A–E) in the Austrian population and to estimate the prevalence of the individual subtypes in different risk groups.

Study design: Serum samples from 88 HIV-1 positive patients were tested for the presence of subtype-specific antibodies using a peptide ELISA.

Results: The majority of the patients were shown to be infected with HIV-1 subtype B, but infections with subtypes A, C, and E were also detected in the Austrian population, primarily in the heterosexual transmission group. While subtypes A and C were probably imported from different African countries, subtype E appears to have been introduced by sex tourists returning from Thailand.

Conclusion: Introduction of HIV subtypes other than B from Africa and Asia into Austria has already occurred and will certainly increase within the next few years.