HIV care in Central and Eastern Europe: How close are we to the target?

Objectives: The aim of this survey was to describe the current status of HIV care in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and to investigate how close the region is to achieving the UNAIDS 2020 target of 90-90-90.

Methods: In 2014, data were collected from 24 Central and Eastern European countries using a 38-item questionnaire.

Results: All countries reported mandatory screening of blood and organ donors for HIV.

[Molecular and epidemiological characterization of HIV-infection in the Altai Territory].

The genetic analysis of the variants of HIV, type 1, circulating in the Altai Territory was made. The results obtained with the use of the serological analysis and the method of the comparative evaluation of the electrophoretic mobility of heteroduplexes demonstrated that almost all analyzed samples (98.3%) belonged to subtype A.

[Molecular genetic characteristics of HIV-1 in Russia].

The paper presents data on the variants of human immunodefficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) currently circulating in Russia. The subtype A HIV-1 variant dominating is shown to be most widespread among drug-injected users in the most regions under study. By using the results of an analysis of 1,464 blood samples taken in the past 4 years in 69 subjects of the Russian Federation, the authors have estimated that this HIV-1 variant is responsible for 93% of all HIV-infection cases in the country.

[Nucleotide sequence of gag and env genes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, found in Russia: detection of new recombinant variants].

Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide sequences of gag and env genes of type 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) variants isolated from individuals infected through sexual intercourse or nosocomially (by injections with nonsterile syringes) showed that 5 of 27 (18.5%) isolated strains were recombinants. Two viruses found in the Russian Far East had gagAenvE genotype, three other recombinants had envG genotype; gag gene of one isolate belonged to subtype A and gag genes of two others belonged to subtype D.

[A genetic analysis of variants of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) circulating among drug abusers in Moscow and Moscow Province].

The genetic analysis of the variants of human immunodeficiency virus of type 1 (HIV-1), circulating among drug addicts in Moscow and Moscow Province, has been carried out. The serological analysis of 122 blood specimens taken from HIV-infected drug addicts, residing in Moscow and 22 settlements of the Moscow region, has shown that in this region HIV-1 variant of subtype A spreads among drug addicts. These data have been confirmed by the results of the analysis of 44 specimens, made with the use of the method of the heteroduplex mobility assay for gene env.

[The epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus-caused infection among users of psychotropic preparations in Russia].

The development of the epidemic of HIV infection among the intravenous injecting users of psychotropic substances in Russia in 1994-1999 is described on the basis of the data provided by territorial centers for the prevention and control of AIDS. In addition, the results of the screening in individual groups of the population of Russia for antibodies to HIV, carried out at the period of 1994 to the first half of 1999, are presented. In 1999 a considerable rise in the number of newly detected cases of HIV infection, mainly among persons injecting psychotropic drugs intravenously for non-medical purposes, was noted.

[Genetic characteristics of variants of human immunodeficiency virus type 1, causing an epidemic among substance abusers in Commonwealth of Independent States countries].

Gag/env nucleotide sequences of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) variants detected in drug users in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus are analyzed. Two HIV-1 subtypes A and B circulate in this risk group. Genetic variability within one subtype is no higher than 3.

[Recombinant human immunodeficiency viruses].

Three types of recombinant human immunodeficiency virus have been found to circulate in Russia. The first type of the virus belongs to genotype gagAenvB, the second type belongs to genotype gagDenvG and the third type, to genotype gagAenvE. The virus of genotype gagAenvB circUlates in the population of drug addicts simultaneously with its "parent" viruses of genotypes gagAenvA and gagBenvB.

[HIV-1 subtypes in Russia in 1987-1988].

The subtyping of 350 isolates of HIV-1, isolated on the territories of 38 subjects of the Russian Federation, was carried out. The analysis was made by the method of the comparative heteroduplex mobility assay, as well as by the determination of the sequence of genes env [correction of ens] (gp 120) and gag (p17-p24). The study revealed that more than 50% of all cases of HIV-1 infection were caused by closely related variants of subtype A virus.

[Comparative analysis of distribution of mutant alleles of the gene coding for the CCR-5 chemokine receptor, among people in Russia, infected and not infected with HIV-1].

Comparative analysis of the distribution of deletion mutations of CC-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR-5) gene among HIV-1 infected and not infected subjects in Russia showed the incidence of the heterozygous genotype to be 17.8% among both HIV-infected and seronegative subjects. The incidence of the homozygous genotype for the deletion among seronegative individuals was 0.

[Genotyping and phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 isolates circulating in Russia].

HIV-1 genetic subtypes were analyzed by the heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) in 125 samples derived in 1995-1996 from residents of the European part of Russia. The results indicate the prevalence of six subtypes (A, B, C, D, G, and H) in the Russian Federation, with four types (A, B, C, and G) predominating (95%). The viruses belonging to subtypes A, B, and C spread via heterosexual contacts, subtype B mainly through homosexual intercourse.