Epidemiological and Molecular Characteristics of HIV Infection among Money Boys and General MSM in Shanghai, China.

PubMed
Yan H, Ding Y, Wong FY, Ning Z, Zheng T, Nehl EJ, He N.
Original Article:  1.usa.gov/1zgG4qk

Abstract

To examine and compare the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of HIV infection between money boys (MBs) and general men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China. Using a venue-based sampling strategy, a total of 535 MSM including 226 MBs and 309 general MSM were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional survey including a face-to-face questionnaire interview and HIV testing. Genotyping of HIV-1 pol gene was performed for HIV-positive participants. Compared with general MSM, MBs reported more sexual partners, more alcohol and drug use and more sex after alcohol or drug use. HIV prevalence was 10.7% overall, 14.6% for MBs and 7.8% for general MSM (p=0.011). Two independent multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that HIV infection was positively associated with non-Han ethnicity (Odds Ratio [OR]=4.79, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.08-21.28) and sex after drug use in the past 6 months (OR=3.59, 95%CI: 1.50-8.61) among MBs, and with sex after drug use in the past 6 months (OR=3.38, 95%CI: 1.10-10.34) among general MSM as well. HIV-1 pol gene was successfully amplified and sequenced for 52 (91.2%) of HIV-positive participants. Of them, 53.8% were genotyped as CRF01_AE, 36.5% as CRF07_BC and 9.6% as subtype B. Two CRF01_AE subtype-infected participants (3.8%), a 50 years old MB and a 24 years old general MSM, harbored viruses with a M46L mutation conferring resistance to protease inhibitors (PI). MSM particularly MBs in Shanghai, China were at high risk of HIV infection, underscoring an urgent need for joint intervention efforts for drug use and sexual behaviors. HIV drug resistance surveillance is also warranted although the relatively low prevalence of HIV drug resistance implies the effectiveness of current antiretroviral treatment regimen.

Full text of article available at link below:  1.usa.gov/1zgG4qk