       Document 0022
 DOCN  M9460022
 TI    [Epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Bern--application of molecular
       methods]
 DT    9408
 AU    Deiss V; von Overbeck J; Furrer HJ; Germann D; Matter L; Telenti A;
       Institut fur Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universitat und; Medizinische
       Poliklinik des Inselspitals, Bern.
 SO    Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1994 Apr 2;124(13):539-44. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/94225191
 AB    Systematic application of molecular techniques for epidemiology may
       serve as a useful tool in the evaluation of HIV transmission in small
       populations, and allows for better targeting of prevention programs
       while complementing classical epidemiological methods and preserving the
       privacy of individuals. Coded serum samples from 24 randomly chosen
       patients belonging to the HIV cohort of Berne were investigated by
       direct assessment of partial env gene sequences. This information was
       used to construct a preliminary sequence database. Thereafter, nine
       couples, amongst whom HIV transmission was thought possible, were
       assessed in a blind and coded fashion. Sequence data demonstrated that
       the main viral subtype circulating in Berne has the characteristics of
       the American-European HIV-1 strain (96% amino acid homology). 4 of 9
       couples were shown to share viral strains. Other potential couples
       carried strains with sequence characteristics that did not support the
       possibility of transmission. These data provide a basis for future
       epidemiological studies in our community.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/GENETICS/  *MICROBIOLOGY
       Amino Acid Sequence  Cohort Studies  English Abstract  Female  Gene
       Products, env/ISOLATION & PURIF  Human  HIV-1/*GENETICS  Male  Molecular
       Sequence Data  Polymerase Chain Reaction  Switzerland/EPIDEMIOLOGY
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

