[A sero-epidemiologic survey of HIV infection in Burundi between 1980 and 1981]

A retrospective investigation permitted us to show presence of HIV infection in Burundi between 1980 and 1981. 658 sera collected in healthy population of Burundi during this period have been tested for HIV1 and HIV2 with ELISA screening and western-blot analysis. Results completed with HIV1 antigen research show 29 patients infected with HIV1 (27 antibodies to HIV1 carriers, and 2 with HIV1 antigen). The epidemiological situation before finding HIV show high prevalence (4.4%) of HIV1 infection. No HIV2 was found. The epidemiology of HIV infection was dominated by high prevalence in urban areas (8.08%) but 2.82% of country people were infected, by frequence in man (5.94%) but 3.08% of women were carriers, and by heterosexual transmission. After this study HIV infection was more frequent and we have observed epidemiological modification (importance of vertical transmission). Frequent antigenic cross-reaction between HIV1 and HIV2 core proteins has been observed. Cross-reaction with other retrovirus is possible.