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Decline in the HIV-1 isolation rate in Japan: a 12-year observation
T Nakasone1, J Takamatsu, K Watanabe
1Vaccine Research and Development Group, AIDS Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. nakabone@nih.go.jp
Abstract:
Since 1988, we have isolated HIV-1 from 614 HIV-1-infected persons (total sample=2,785) in Japan. During the past 12 years, we have found a decline in the HIV-1 isolation rate in Japan, with two identifiable turning points, 1991-1992 and 1996-1997. The two turning points correspond to shifts in anti-HIV-1 therapy. These findings suggest that HIV-1 in Japan is currently biologically well controlled, probably due to anti-HIV-1 therapy. On the other hand, this decline is inconsistent with the recent increase of genetic drug-resistant HIV-1 in Japan. Further studies are needed to clarify mechanisms that might explain the discrepancy.