[Worldwide HIV incidence--aspects and dynamics of a tardive epidemic]

The present situation of the HIV pandemic is described on the basis of current data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC), and selected papers on the subject. The worldwide situation is unstable and alarming. New regional HIV subepidemics are spreading rapidly on several continents. On the worldwide level, the HIV epidemic has not yet reached its maximum: in the next 3-4 years 10-12 millions HIV-infected persons will be added to the existing 22.6 millions. The epidemiological situation in the industrialized countries is described separately: in contrast to the developing countries, HIV transmission among drug addicts predominates, while heterosexual transmission continues to increase. The findings of molecular epidemiology reflect migration trends and special conditions for spread of the disease. As a consequence of the HIV epidemic, classical epidemic diseases, such as tuberculosis, are on the increase again. The worldwide HIV epidemic is more serious than ever and requires more effective preventive strategies.