Epidemiological surveillance of human immunodeficiency virus infection in southern Taiwan.

Abstract

An epidemiological surveillance on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among risk groups was conducted from 1985 to 1988 in southern Taiwan. The aim of this surveillance program was to find HIV carrier and acquire immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) case and understand the mode of transmission of HIV of its prevention and control. A total of 3046 human serum samples were screened for HIV-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and then confirmed by Western blot and immunosorbent assay. For HIV-1 tests 6 were positive: three were hemophiliacs, two were homosexuals, and one was a female prostitute. Two cases were AIDS patients, one was the first native homosexual case without any contact with foreign visitors, the other was a female prostitute who was the first female case in Taiwan. Judging from these two cases AIDS appears to be spreading through homosexual, and even heterosexual contacts. The overall positive rate of HIV-1 in various risk groups was 0.2%, and the HIV-1 positive rate in the homosexuals was 2% but no HIV-2 positivewas found. The rates are similar to the data from northern Taiwan.