Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026

An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
[Update on HIV infection in Mayotte]
C Lartigau-Roussin1, M C Receveur, J C Hebert
1Service de médecine, Centre Hospitalier de Mayotte, Mamoudzou.
Abstract:
Mayotte is a small French island located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mozambique. It is one of the four Comorian Islands and has a population of about 200,000. The first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in 1989. Since then, the number of serological tests performed annually has stabilized at around 14000. However the number of new cases and treatment reports appears to be increasing slowly. Five of the 15 cases diagnosed in 2005 were at the AIDS stage. In 2006, 74 people were treated at the Mayotte hospital including 5 children. The mean age of the 69 adult patients was 38 years. Contamination was heterosexual for 71% of the adult cases, homosexual in 13% and transfusional in 3%. Women accounted for 59.5% of adult patients because of antenatal screening. All cases in Mayotte involved HIV type 1 infection. Forty-nine patients are undergoing treatment. Viremia is undetectable in 74% as compared to 85% in 2005. This decrease is due to a drop in attendance from 7.2 in 2005 to fold 4.5 in an island environment where HIV is still considered as a shameful disease.
Insights
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases are slowly increasing in Mayotte, with a concerning decrease in undetectable viral loads. This trend is linked to reduced patient attendance, highlighting the need for better HIV management and reduced stigma.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Mayotte, a French island in the Indian Ocean, has reported Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases since 1989.
- Annual serological testing has remained stable, but new HIV cases and treatment reports show a slow increase.
- In 2006, 74 individuals, including 5 children, received treatment for HIV at Mayotte hospital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the current HIV epidemic in Mayotte.
- To report on the characteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV patients.
- To identify factors contributing to treatment challenges in the island environment.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of HIV case data from Mayotte hospital.
- Review of patient demographics, transmission routes, and treatment status.
- Comparison of viral load undetectability rates between 2005 and 2006.
Main Results:
- In 2006, 69 adult patients (mean age 38) were treated, with heterosexual contact being the primary transmission route (71%).
- Women constituted 59.5% of adult patients, largely due to antenatal screening.
- Viral load undetectability decreased from 85% in 2005 to 74% in 2006, associated with reduced patient attendance.
Conclusions:
- HIV infection, specifically HIV-1, remains a significant public health concern in Mayotte.
- The decrease in viral load undetectability is linked to lower patient attendance, potentially influenced by the stigma associated with HIV.
- Addressing reduced healthcare engagement and HIV-related stigma is crucial for effective disease management in Mayotte.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Leishmaniasis
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Malaria
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Amebiasis
Herpes

