The Molecular Epidemiology of Hiv-1 Among Male Sex Workers in Northern Thailand

Male prostitutes in northern Thailand are at high risk for HIV-1 infection and may be exposed to multiple subtypes of HIV-1 through sexual contact with men and women from Thailand and elsewhere. Blood samples of 103 male Thai nationals working in gay bars and clubs in Chiang Mai collected during the Thai Ministry of Public Healths 1994 sentinel surveillance were studied to determine the prevalences of HIV-1 subtypes B and E in the population. The men reported having an average of 2.5 male clients per week and had been in the business from 1 month to 7 years with a median duration of 4 months. HIV serologic testing DNA polymerase chain reaction methods molecular cloning differential colony hybridization nucleotide sequencing and a third hypervariable region (V3) peptide enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay were used to differentiate subjects infected with HIV-1 subtypes B E both or neither. 58% of the men reported a heterosexual orientation outside of work and 34% were married. 72.1% reported inconsistent or no condom use with sex partners. 17 (16.5%) were infected with HIV. Of those infected 16 (94%) had HIV-1 subtype E and 1 had subtype B.