Tracking the spread of the HIV infection epidemic among young adults in the United States: results of the first four years of screening among civilian applicants for U.S. military service

Article Abstract:

The epidemiological parameters of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) include: prevalence, or the proportion of individuals infected; incidence, the rate at which new infections are acquired; and acceleration, the direction and rate of change of incidence over time. New therapies for HIV infection have been developed which have changed the typical time elapsed from initial infection to clinical disease. The epidemiological parameters can be tracked using cross-sectional data on the number of people who have antibodies to HIV. Individuals who have applied to the United States military can be used as the cross-sectional population for screening. Applicants come from every state and overseas territory of the United States. The military has screened over 2.3 million applicants for antibodies to HIV over a four-year period, from October 1985 to September 1989. The overall number of individuals who were seropositive (tested positive for antibodies to HIV) was found to be 1.31 per 1,000 applicants. Upon analysis of the characteristics of seropositive individuals, prevalence of HIV infection was found to be highest among individuals living near urban centers of the AIDS epidemic, such as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, New York, and New Jersey. The age, race/ethnicity, and gender of seropositive individuals was also analyzed. It was roughly estimated that one out of 2,000 young men and one out of 7,000 young women are infected with HIV each year in the United States as a whole. The infection rates appear to be highest among black males (1.4 out of 1,000 per year) and lowest among white females (0.03 out of 1,000 per year). The infection rate among black females was shown to have increased, or accelerated, during the first three years of the study. It is noted that these figures are probably underestimates of the actual incidence rate. Estimating the number of individuals infected with HIV is important when developing policies regarding infected individuals, and when allocating resources and analyzing the effectiveness of programs associated with the AIDS epidemic. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Environmental aspects

---

The HIV cytopathic effect: potential target for therapy?

Article Abstract:

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, binds to and enters T lymphocytes through a molecule known as CD4. The virus divides in the infected cells, and the cells are eventually killed after a large number of virus particles are released from each cell. This is known as the cytopathic (causing cell death) effect of HIV. It is thought that the HIV cytopathic effect may be caused by a protein of the virus, known as the rev regulatory protein, which is involved in regulation or the control of the activities of the virus. Evidence for the involvement of rev comes from a review of the literature and from preliminary mathematical models of the activities of HIV in four areas: the epidemiology or transmission of the virus; the response of the immune system; the regulation of infection involving latency (when the virus is not active); and viral division and mutations (genetic changes). It is thought that rev has an effect on genes of the host that are involved in cell aging and death and the maturation of T cells. Mathematical and computer models of the immune system could be used to see if suppressing or inactivating the rev protein would restore the immune system so that the infection could be cleared or at least kept under control, in the latent stage. It is felt that the mathematical and computer models could supplement laboratory assays by allowing for simulation and experimentation by the computer. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexually transmitted diseases, Models, Genetic aspects

---

Populations at increased risk of HIV infection: current knowledge and limitations

Article Abstract:

Geographic, demographic and behavioral risk factors have been identified for the acquisition of the AIDS virus in various sub-populations: intravenous drug users, homosexual males, and sexually-active adults and teenagers. Estimates of the prevalence of behaviors that lead to increased risk of acquiring the AIDS virus are needed so that epidemiological studies might predict the future of the epidemic and evaluate the impact of interventions. It is difficult to obtain data on behavior, especially because some of the risk factors, such as intravenous drug use and homosexuality, are not socially accepted and are generally illegal. These data are, therefore, usually under-represented. At present, risk-related behavior is estimated by the number of individuals in a risk group, not by the numbers who are involved in the risk activity itself. There is a need for population-based research that will provide data on sexual and drug use behavior. Confidentiality of study participants must be assured. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Risk factors, Risk factors (Health), Health risk assessment, Epidemiological research, Cross sectional studies

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Control of serum phosphorus in uremia. Intravenous calcitriol in the treatment of refractory osteitis fibrosa of chronic renal failure
• Abstracts: From the assistant secretary for health. Health progress in the United States: results of the 1990 objectives for the nation
• Abstracts: Value of the ventilation/perfusion scan in acute pulmonary embolism: results of the Prospective Investigation of Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis (PIOPED)
• Abstracts: The epidemiology of Haemophilus influenzae meningitis in children under five years of age in The Gambia, West Africa
• Abstracts: An in vitro chemosensitivity test for the screening of anti-cancer drugs in childhood leukemia

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.