Analysis of HIV/AIDS epidemiology in Japan from 1985-2011-infection detection pattern for male homosexuals different from that for male heterosexuals but similar to that for females.

Abstract

This article reviews Japanese HIV/AIDS surveillance data from 1985 to 2011. It revealed that heterosexual males are more prone to be detected as "AIDS cases," whereas male homosexuals and females are more prone to be detected as "HIV cases," irrespective of the gender, age, infection route, residential area, and nationality. The probability of being detected as an "AIDS case" increased with advanced age, irrespective of the gender and infection route. Interpretation of the data requires further information on the clinical latency of AIDS that could differ depending on differences in infection routes, gender, age, nature of the acute-phase syndrome and factors enhancing it, e.g., route and dose of infection, and mucosal immunity involved in sexually transmitted HIV/AIDS infection and the influence of age and gender on it.