Characteristic features of HIV/AIDS in the Czech Republic

First laboratory proved HIV infections in the Czech Republic were diagnosed in a homosexual couple in autumn of 1985. Total number of detected HIV+ cases reached 143 persons by the end of 1992 (132 men and 11 women), of that 31 cases were classified as fully blown AIDS (21 already died). Out of these 143 HIV+ cases, 93 (65.0%) are represented by homo/bisexuals, 10 (7.0%) by heterosexuals, 16 (11.2%) by haemophiliacs, 14 (9.8%) by blood recipients, 1 (0.7%) by IVDU and 9 (6.3%) by unknown transmission category. Approx. 2.1 mil. of tests have been done as routine screening of donated blood. Only 5 cases (0.0002%) of HIV positivity have been found in this group. All HIV positive blood recipients (30 cases) were infected before the mandatory HIV testing of blood supply has been introduced in 1987 (14 out of 16 HIV+ haemophiliacs were infected by imported clotting products). The twins born in 1990 to mother infected by contaminated blood in 1984, were declared at the age of 30 months as HIV free, with all laboratory tests (serology, virus cultivation, PCR) negative. The cummulative infection rate of HIV antibody in 1986-1992 reached 13.8 per million inhabitants. It may be concluded that slow steady increase in the number of reported HIV/AIDS cases has been registered during the whole follow-up period. The authors are aware that relatively low prevalence of HIV infection in the Czech Republic may change dramatically in consequences of recent deep social, political and economical changes in the country.