Dataset Information

Trends of recent hepatitis C virus infection among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Taiwan, 2011–2018.

ABSTRACT: BackgroundIncreasing trends of HCV infection have been reported among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) in Europe, Australia and North America. The trends of recently acquired HCV infection among HIV-positive MSM are less clear in Asia–pacific region.MethodsAll HIV-positive patients seeking care at a university hospital in Taiwan tested for anti-HCV IgG at least once annually to estimate the incidence of HCV seroconversion during 2011–2018. HCV genotyping and sequencing were performed and multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the factors associated with HCV seroconversion among MSM.FindingsDuring the study period, 3495 HCV-seronegative patients (86·4% MSM) were included and 294 (8·4%) with recent HCV infection were identified, in whom 281 (95·6%) were MSM, during a total of 16,361·86 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), giving an overall incidence rate of 17·97 per 1000 PYFU, which increased from 14·28 per 1000 PYFU in 2011 to 25·38 per 1000 PYFU in 2018 (p<0·001). HCV seroconversion among MSM was associated with aspartate aminotransferase ?37 U/L (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7·50, 95% CI 4·17–13·50), alanine aminotransferase ?41 U/L (AOR 7·47, 95% CI 4·11–13·58), and syphilis acquisition (AOR 2·88, 95% CI 1·67–4·97). Among the 277 (94·2%) with HCV viremia, genotype 2a (n = 116) was the leading genotype, followed by 1b (n = 85), 6a (n = 34), and 1a (n = 21). Genotypes 3a and 6a increased from 0% and 5·2%, respectively, in 2011–2014 to 4·1% and 17·1% in 2015–2018. Phylogenetic analysis revealed increased clusters in genotypes 2a, 3a and 6a from 2011-2014 to 2015–2018.InterpretationAn expanding HCV epidemic among HIV-positive MSM is occurring in Taiwan. Improving access to HCV testing and early linkage to treatment are needed to curb the expanding HCV epidemic.FundingThis research was supported by a grant from National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (NTUH.106-003347 to Hsin-Yun Sun).

SUBMITTER: Ho S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7327892 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectivesThe study aimed to describe the seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in HIV-positive adult patients in Taiwan between 2012 and 2016 and to examine the evolution of HAV seroprevalence between 2004-2007 and 2012-2016.MethodsClinical information and data of anti-HAV antibody results were collected from 2,860 antiretroviral-naïve HIV-positive Taiwanese aged 18 years or older who initiated combination antiretroviral therapy at 11 hospitals around Taiwan between 2012 and 2016 (2012-2016 cohort). A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to identify independent variables associated with HAV seropositivity. Comparisons of HAV seroprevalences and associated clinical characteristics were made between this 2012-2016 cohort and a previous cohort of 1580 HIV-positive patients in 2004-2007 (2004-2007 cohort).ResultsOf the 2,860 HIV-positive patients between 2012 and 2016, the overall HAV seropositivity rate was 21.2% (605/2860), which was independently associated with an older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], per 1-year increase, 1.13; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.11-1.15) and co-infection with hepatitis B virus (AOR 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08-1.93). Residence in southern Taiwan (AOR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.34-0.72) was inversely associated with HAV seropositivity. The overall HAV seroprevalence in the 2012-2016 cohort was significantly lower than that in the 2004-2007 cohort (21.2% vs 60.9%, p<0.01). The decreases of HAV seropositivity rate were observed in nearly every age-matched group, which suggested the cohort effect on HAV seroepidemiology. However, among individuals aged 25 years or younger, the HAV seropositivity rate increased from 3.8% (2/52) in the 2004-2007 cohort to 8.5% (50/587) in the 2012-2016 cohort, with 95.4% (560/587) being MSM in this age group of the latter cohort.ConclusionsHAV seroprevalence has decreased with time among HIV-positive adults in Taiwan. The cohort effect has increased the number of young HIV-positive patients that are susceptible to HAV infection in a country without nationwide childhood vaccination program against HAV.

Project description:The number of men who have sex with men (MSM) infected with HIV-1 in Taiwan has increased rapidly in the past few years. The goal of this study was to conduct a molecular epidemiological study of HIV-1 infection among MSM in Taiwan to identify risk factors for intervention. Voluntary counseling program and anonymous testing were provided to patrons at 1 gay bar, 7 night clubs and 3 gay saunas in Taipei and New Taipei Cities in 2012. HIV-1 subtypes were determined using gag subtype-specific PCR and phylogenetic analysis by env sequences. Recent HIV-1 infection was determined using LAg-Avidity EIA. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were used to identify risk factors. The prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 among MSM in Taiwan were 4.38% (53/1,208) and 3.29 per 100 person-years, respectively. Of 49 cases genotyped, 48 (97.9%) were infected with subtype B and 1 with CRF01_AE (2%). Phylogenetic analysis of 46 HIV-1 strains showed that 25 (54.4%) subtype B strains formed 9 clusters with each other or with other local strains. The CRF01_AE case clustered with a reference strain from a Thai blood donor with bootstrap value of 99. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors associated with HIV-1 infection included use of oil-based solution as lubricant (vs. saliva or water-based lubricants, OR= 4.23; p <0.001); exclusively receptive role (vs. insertive role, OR= 9.69; p <0.001); versatile role (vs. insertive role, OR= 6.45; p= 0.003); oral sex (vs. insertive role, OR= 11.93; p= 0.044); times of sexual contact per week (2-3 vs. zero per week, OR= 3.41; p= 0.021); illegal drug use (OR= 4.12; p <0.001); and history of sexually transmitted diseases (OR= 3.65; p= 0.002). In conclusion, there was no new HIV-1 subtype or circulating recombinant form responsible for the increase of HIV-1 among MSM in Taiwan in 2012. Misuse of oil-based solution as lubricant is a new risk factor identified among MSM in Taiwan. The Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control has created a video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=BinExvvOTMM&feature=iv&src_vid=BW81-PfmY3E&annotation_id=annotation_2436493705) to correct such misconception in its AIDS prevention campaign.

Dataset Information

Trends of recent hepatitis C virus infection among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Taiwan, 2011–2018.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets