Abstract
We tested for HIV in discarded needles and syringe washes from 191 HIV-infected patients receiving injections in rural Cameroon. HIV-1 RNA was amplified from 34 of 103 intravenous injection syringes and two of 88 intramuscular injection syringes. All 36 strains were HIV-1 group M. The majority belonged to the circulating recombinant form CRF02 (IbNg). Our data support a role for unsafe injections in the spread of HIV-1 in Africa, in contrast to recent studies.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Cameroon / epidemiology
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Genes, env / genetics
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Genes, gag / genetics
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HIV Infections / epidemiology
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HIV Infections / genetics
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HIV Infections / transmission*
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HIV-1 / genetics
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Humans
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Injections, Intramuscular / adverse effects
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Injections, Intravenous / adverse effects*
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Injections, Intravenous / instrumentation
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Needles / virology
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Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
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RNA, Viral / analysis
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Rural Health
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Sequence Alignment
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Syringes / virology