Epidemiologia molecular do Vírus da imunodeficiência humana 1 (HIV-1) no município de Macapá (Amapá), Brasil

Abstract

One of the main characteristics of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is its great genetic diversity. The present work has as main objective the description of the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 circulating in the city of Macapa, Amapa, as well as the factors associated with the infection and to correlate these with the viral subtypes found and the epidemiological data of the investigated population. Blood samples from 48 subjects bearers of the HIV were collected in the Service of Specialized Assistance (SSA) in the city of Macapa, in the mean time of June 2003 to June 2004. After the DNA extraction, was performed an amplification of 297 bp from the protease (gene pro) y means of the Nested PCR assay, being sequenced, afterwards, for the determination of the viral subtypes. Were identified the subtypes B (93.7%) and F (6.3%) in the city of Macapa which are the most prevalent in Brazil, and was not observed an association between the subtypes of HIV-1 circulating in this city with sexual preferences. Although, a significant part of the population examined has a low degree of scholarity, characteristic which reflects the majority of the population infected with HIV in Brazil.