Document 2248
 DOCN  M94A2248
 TI    Monitoring incident HIV infections in Ontario. Ontario HIV Seroconverter
       Study Group.
 DT    9412
 AU    Galli R; Major C; Fearon M; Green L; Calzavara L; HIV Laboratory,
       Ontario Ministry of Health, Canada.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):347 (abstract no. PC0619). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370327
 AB    OBJECTIVE: To track incident cases of HIV infection in Ontario. METHODS:
       All diagnostic HIV testing for the Province is performed by the Ministry
       of Health. Demographic information and results are recorded in a
       computer data base. Follow up tests for HIV negative individuals are
       monitored for seroconversion (SC). In addition, the laboratory has an
       algorithm designed to detect early HIV infection. RESULTS: Between 1985
       and June 1993, 442 seroconversions were documented, representing 3.4% of
       all newly diagnosed cases (3.3% of male cases; 4.2% of female cases).
       Over time, SC represented an increasing proportion of newly diagnosed
       cases (1.3%-1986; 4.9%-1993). In 1993, 0.6% of male and 0.03% of female
       negative retesters seroconverted. Approximately, 15% of SCs were
       detected during the initial stages of HIV antibody development, before
       full western blot positivity. Males represented 88% of SC; 9% were
       female and for 3% sex was not indicated. Risk information was provided
       for 75% of cases; for males: 81% were exclusively gay, 4% bisexual and
       9% were IDU's. For females: 52% acquired HIV through heterosexual
       transmission and 40% were IDU's. 51% of males and 56% of females were in
       the 25-34 age group. The greatest increase in SC over time was seen in
       homosexual males aged 20-39. While SCs have been detected in every
       health area in the province, the majority, (70%) were tested in
       Metropolitan Toronto. CONCLUSIONS: HIV seroconverters represent the
       leading edge of the HIV epidemic. Gay men between 25-34 seem to be
       particularly at risk. Establishment of a cohort of recent seroconverters
       is critical to determine the cause of these prevention failures.
 DE    Adult  Algorithms  AIDS Serodiagnosis/*STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Female
       Homosexuality/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Human  HIV
       Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/PREVENTION & CONTROL/TRANSMISSION  HIV
       Seropositivity/EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  HIV Seroprevalence  Male
       Ontario/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *Population Surveillance  Risk Factors  MEETING
       ABSTRACT

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