Epidemiology of HIV infection in St. Petersburg, Russia

Overall HIV-1 prevalence in St. Petersburg (Leningrad) is extremely low (0.002%). HIV-2 infection has not been detected. The possible mode of virus entry was through sexual contacts with infected foreigners, the earliest documented date being prior to 1982. Among 25 seropositive males, 18 are homosexual and five are bisexual, suggesting that the virus is circulating within resident population of homo/bisexual males. The total incidence of new infections has not shown the type of dramatic increase noted in US gay/bisexual men in early 1980s. Information on lifestyle characterization of this indigenous population require further study to determine the future potential for spread. Among the non-Soviet population the rate is 0.01%. Highest rates occur among persons from HIV endemic areas of Africa, with rates as high as 5% and 3% among persons from Uganda and Rwanda, respectively. Rates among new entrants from Africa are lower, possibly reflecting the impact of prescreening of applicants prior to arrival in Russia. Further monitoring of high-risk populations and studies to define behavior risk pattern are planned.