Seroprevalence of HIV infection in Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Serum samples from 2645 individuals representing all the twelve districts of Himachal Pradesh were screened for antibodies to Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), employing ELISA test. These were categorised into four major high risk groups, viz, patients attending STD clinics (1305), voluntary blood donors (1012), hospital staff dealing with blood and blood products (200) and foreign nationals (128). No evidence of HIV infection was found in Himachali population. Two foreign nationals were repeatedly found positive for HIV antibodies by ELISA test and these were confirmed by Western Blot technique.

PIP: Between November 1986-March 1990, microbiologists from the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, India used the ELISA technique to test 2645 serum samples for HIV. HIV positive samples were confirmed with the Western Blot technique. The samples were classified into 4 groups: individuals at sexually transmitted disease clinics, voluntary blood donors, hospital staff who handle blood and blood products, and foreign nationals. 77% were males. 1 individual sampled was a eunuch. Only 2 people tested positive for HIV. Both were male Canadians. 1 was a heterosexual with multiple partners and had been in Africa, China, France, Nepal, and Tibet. He went to the outpatient department of the Indira Gandhi Hospital in Shimla with a 4 month history of bloody diarrhea. Hospital staff found lymphadenopathy and consolidation of the right paracardiac border. The 2nd HIV positive foreign national presented at the District Hospital in Kullu with loss of appetite and weight. He later developed persistent diarrhea. Clinicians had earlier diagnosed cancer of the stomach, gross malnutrition, and peripheral neuropathy. Hospital staff did not follow up on these 2 Canadians. Even though none of the people from Himachal Pradesh tested positive for HIV, the fact that 2 foreign tourists were HIV positive poses a potential threat for the spread of HIV among these people. Other studies has shown the HIV infection has indeed been introduced in India from foreign nationals from USA, Canada, Germany, and Africa.