Molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 infection among men who have sex with men in Taiwan from 2013 to 2015.

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) is the major risk population of HIV-1 infection in Taiwan, and its surveillance has become critical in HIV-1 prevention. We recruited MSM subjects from 17 high-risk venues and 4 community centers in northern and southern Taiwan for anonymous HIV-1 screening during 2013-2015. Blood samples were obtained for genotyping and phylogenetic analysis, and a questionnaire survey covering demographic variables and social behavior was conducted. In total, 4,675 subjects were enrolled, yielding a HIV-1 prevalence rate of 4.3% (201/4675). Eight risk factors including subjects who did not always use condoms (OR = 1.509, p = 0.0123), those who used oil-based lubricants (OR = 1.413, p = 0.0409), and those who used recreational drugs (OR = 2.182, p = < .0001) had a higher risk of HIV-1 infection. The annual prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 showed a downward trend from 2013 to 2015 (6.56%, 5.97 per 100 person-years in 2013; 4.53%, 3.97 per 100 person-years in 2014; 1.84%, 2.08 per 100 person-years in 2015). Factors such as always using condoms, water-based lubricant use, correct knowledge of lubricating substitutes, and recreational drug use were significantly associated with the trend of incidence. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the cross-regional and international interaction of the local MSM population may have facilitated transmission of HIV. This survey of high-risk venues showed decreased prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 infection in Taiwan from 2013 to 2015, and this may be related to changes in behavioral patterns. Moreover, cross-regional interaction and recreational drug use need to be considered in future surveillance.

• Authors: Wei-You Li, Marcelo Chen, Szu-Wei Huang, I-An Jen, Sheng-Fan Wang, Jyh-Yuan Yang, Yen-Hsu Chen, Yi-Ming Arthur Chen
• Journal: PloS one (PLoS One) Vol. 13 Issue 12 Pg. e0202622 ( 2018) ISSN: 1932-6203 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 30521534 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• HIV Infections (epidemiology, genetics, transmission)
• HIV-1 (genetics)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Molecular Epidemiology
• Phylogeny
• Prevalence
• Sexual and Gender Minorities
• Taiwan (epidemiology)