Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) subtypes in Jamaica / Subtipos del virus tipo-1 de la inmunodeficiencia humano (VIH-1) en Jamaica

The subtypes of 141 isolates of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) from Jamaica were determined by a combination of env and gag heteroduplex mobility analysis (HMA) genotyping. The majority of HIV-1 isolates were subtype B (131/141, 93.0); one (0.8) isolate each of subtypes C, D and E was found and 7 (4.9) were indeterminate. These results and the failure of the sets of primers used to amplify some of the HIV-1 isolates provide strong evidence of genetic diversity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica. Surveillance of the circulating HIV-1 genetic subtypes is a pre-requisite for developing regional vaccine strategies and understanding the transmission patterns of the virus. This is the first study of its kind in Jamaica and the findings complement data from other Caribbean countries. This work supports the view of colleagues from the French and Spanish-speaking Caribbean that an epidemiological network supported by regional laboratories will help track this epidemic accurately with positive outcomes for the public.

Los subtipos de 141 aislados del virus tipo 1 de la inmunodeficiencia humno (VIH-1) en Jamaica, fueron determinados combinando la genotipificación por análisis de heterodúplex (HMA) en los genes env y gag. La mayor parte de los aislados HIV-1 fueron del subtipo B (131/141, 93.0%), se halló uno (0.8%) aislado para cada uno de los subtipos C, D y E, en tanto que 7 (4.9%) fueron indeterminados. Estos resultados y el fallo de los conjuntos de primers usados para amplificar algunos de los aislados de VIH-1, ofrecen fuerte evidencia de la diversidad epidémica del VIH/SIDA en Jamaica. La vigilancia de los subtipos genéticos de VIH-1 en circulación, constituye un pre-requisito, tanto para desarrollar estrategias de vacunas a nivel regional, como para entender los patrones de transmisión del virus. Este es el primer estudio de este tipo en Jamaica, y nuestros hallazgos complementan los datos obtenidos en otros países del Caribe. Coincidimos con nuestros colegas del Caribe francófono e hispano-parlante en cuanto a que una red epidemiológica apoyada por los laboratorios regionales, nos ayudaría a continuar rastreando esta epidemia con exactitud, y con resultados positivos para el público.

A serosurvey of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, human T lymphotropic virus type-1 and syphilis in HIV-1-infected patients in Jamaica

The seroprevalences of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) and syphyilis were determined in 129 HIV-1-infected patients using commercially prepared reagents. The seroprevalences were HCV, 0 (0/129); HBV, 37 (48/129); HTLV-1, 5 (6/129) and syphilis, 20 (26/129). Fifteen per cent (19/129) of the patients had active/chronic HBV infection. The seroprevalence of HBV was statistically significantly higher in HIV-1 infected men (24/49, 50 versus 17/80, 21; p = 0.005), while the seroprevalence of syphilis was statistically significantly increased in HIV-1 infected patients in the over-40 age group (10/31, 32 versus 6/53, 11; p = 0.05). These findings throw the spotlight on HBV infection and syphilis and suggest that these two sexually transmitted infections should be carefully surveyed in patients with HIV/AIDS in Jamaica. It is essential for management protocols in Jamaica to include screening for evidence of these co-infections