HIV-1 subtype B epidemic and transmission patterns in Slovenia

Abstract

In the present study the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype B in Slovenia during the 10-year period was investigated using phylogenetic analysis of pol gene sequences. 119 pol sequences generated on samples dated from January 1996 to December 2005 were retrieved from the database of Slovenian HIV/AIDS Reference Laboratory. The phylogenetic analysis revealed 14 potentially significant transmission clusters (bootstrap value > or = 98%), comprising 34 HIV-1 strains. The vast majority of clustered individuals were men (91%), and of them, 79% were men who have sex with men. Factors significantly associated with clustering were: recent infection (HIV-1 infection during or after year 2003), diagnosis of primary HIV-1 infection, higher CD4 cell count and acquiring HIV-1 infection in Slovenia. Recent subtype B HIV-1 infections are the important driving force of current HIV-1 epidemic in Slovenia.