Non-disclosed men who have sex with men in UK HIV transmission networks: phylogenetic analysis of surveillance data

Objective: Analysis of HIV nucleotide sequences can be used to identify people with highly similar HIV strains and understand transmission patterns. The objective of this study was to identify groups of people highly connected by HIV transmission and the extent to which transmission occurred within and between geographic areas in Chicago, Illinois. Methods: We analyzed genetic sequences in the HIV-1 pol region in samples collected from people participating in the VARHS program in Chicago during 2005-2011. We determined pairwise genetic distance, inferred potential transmission events between HIV-infected people whose sequences were ≤1.5% genetically distant, and identified clusters of connected people. We used multivariable analysis to determine demographic characteristics and risk attributes associated with degree of connectivity. Results: Of 1154 sequences, 177 (15.3%) were tied to at least 1 other sequence. We determined that younger people, men, non-Hispanic black people, and men who have sex with men were more highly connected than other HIV-infected people. We also identified a high degree of geographic heterogeneity—48 of 67 clusters (71.6%) contained people from >1 Chicago region (north, south, or west sides). Conclusion: Our results indicate a need to address HIV transmission through the networks of younger non-Hispanic black men who have sex with men. The high level of geographic heterogeneity observed suggests that HIV prevention programs should be targeted toward networks of younger people rather than geographic areas of high incidence. This study could also guide prevention efforts in other diverse metropolitan regions with characteristics similar to those of Chicago.

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Genetic transmission networks reveal the transmission patterns of HIV-1 CRF01_AE in China

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2016-053085 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 94 (2) ◽

pp. 111-116 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Xiaoshan Li ◽

Rong Gao ◽

Kexin Zhu ◽

Feiran Wei ◽

Kun Fang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Transmission ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Transmission Networks ◽

Major Public Health Issue ◽

Genetic Transmission ◽

Heterosexual Women ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Migrant People ◽

Hiv 1

ObjectivesThe epidemic of HIV-1 CRF01_AE has become a major public health issue in China. This study aimed to characterise the transmission patterns of genetic networks for CRF01_AE nationwide and elucidate possible opportunities for prevention.MethodsWe isolated and conducted genetic transmission network analysis of all available CRF01_AE pol sequences (n=4704) from China in the Los Alamos HIV sequence database.ResultsA total of 1391 (29.6%) sequences were identified as belonging to 400 separate networks. Of men who have sex with men (MSM) in the networks, 93.8% were linked to other MSM and only 2.4% were linked to heterosexual women. However, 11.8% heterosexual women in the networks were linked to MSM. Lineages composed mainly of MSM had higher transmission than those that were mostly heterosexuals. Of the 1391 individuals in networks, 513 (36.9%) were linked to cases diagnosed in different provinces. The proportion of individuals involved in inter-province links was interrelated with the number of migrant people (Spearman’s r=0.738, p=0.001).ConclusionsThe outcome of this study could help improve our ability to understand HIV transmission among various regions and risk groups in China, and highlighted the importance of targeting MSM and migrants by prevention and intervention efforts.

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The Central Role of Nondisclosed Men Who Have Sex With Men in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 Transmission Networks in Guangzhou, China

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa154 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Huanchang Yan ◽

Weiyun He ◽

Liping Huang ◽

Hao Wu ◽

Yuanhao Liang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Central Position ◽

Sex Behavior ◽

Transmission Networks ◽

Immunodeficiency Virus ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Centrality Analysis ◽

Hiv 1

Abstract Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are vulnerable risk group for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 infection. However, some MSM do not disclose their same-sex behavior and could impact the transmission and prevention of HIV-1 infection. Here, we evaluated the role of nondisclosed MSM in HIV-1 transmission in Guangzhou, China. Methods The HIV-1 pol sequences were obtained from HIV-infected subjects from 2008 to 2015. A transmission network was constructed using HIV TRAnsmission Cluster Engine (HIV-TRACE) at a pairwise genetic distance of 0.5%. The position of nondisclosed MSM in the network was determined by centrality analysis. Results Nondisclosed MSM were inferred in 9.92% (61 of 615) of slightly older, self-reported non-MSM (P = .006). They were more likely to be married (P = .002) and less educated (P < .001) than the MSM with whom they clustered. Closeness centrality was bigger for nondisclosed MSM than for MSM (P < .001), indicating the central position of nondisclosed MSM in the networks. The average shortest path length was smaller for nondisclosed MSM than for MSM (P < .001), whereas radiality was bigger for nondisclosed MSM than for MSM, suggesting a relatively greater contribution of nondisclosed MSM in transmitting HIV-1 than MSM. Assortativity analysis indicated that nondisclosed MSM were more likely to link each other with coefficient of 0.025. Conclusions Nondisclosed MSM are a specific group, and they play an important role in HIV-1 transmission. They could be bisexual and might increase the risk of HIV-1 infection to their sex partners. Therefore, specific prevention and intervention targeting nondisclosed MSM are urgently needed.

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Fraud Detection Protocol for Web-Based Research Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Development and Descriptive Evaluation (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.12344 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

April M Ballard ◽

Trey Cardwell ◽

April M Young

Keyword(s):

Survey Research ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Personal Information ◽

Fraud Detection ◽

Detection Algorithm ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Web Based ◽

Young Msm ◽

Data Survey ◽

Sex With Men

BACKGROUND Internet is becoming an increasingly common tool for survey research, particularly among “hidden” or vulnerable populations, such as men who have sex with men (MSM). Web-based research has many advantages for participants and researchers, but fraud can present a significant threat to data integrity. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate fraud detection strategies in a Web-based survey of young MSM and describe new protocols to improve fraud detection in Web-based survey research. METHODS This study involved a cross-sectional Web-based survey that examined individual- and network-level risk factors for HIV transmission and substance use among young MSM residing in 15 counties in Central Kentucky. Each survey entry, which was at least 50% complete, was evaluated by the study staff for fraud using an algorithm involving 8 criteria based on a combination of geolocation data, survey data, and personal information. Entries were classified as fraudulent, potentially fraudulent, or valid. Descriptive analyses were performed to describe each fraud detection criterion among entries. RESULTS Of the 414 survey entries, the final categorization resulted in 119 (28.7%) entries identified as fraud, 42 (10.1%) as potential fraud, and 253 (61.1%) as valid. Geolocation outside of the study area (164/414, 39.6%) was the most frequently violated criterion. However, 33.3% (82/246) of the entries that had ineligible geolocations belonged to participants who were in eligible locations (as verified by their request to mail payment to an address within the study area or participation at a local event). The second most frequently violated criterion was an invalid phone number (94/414, 22.7%), followed by mismatching names within an entry (43/414, 10.4%) and unusual email addresses (37/414, 8.9%). Less than 5% (18/414) of the entries had some combination of personal information items matching that of a previous entry. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that researchers conducting Web-based surveys of MSM should be vigilant about the potential for fraud. Researchers should have a fraud detection algorithm in place prior to data collection and should not rely on the Internet Protocol (IP) address or geolocation alone, but should rather use a combination of indicators.

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Challenges in evaluating the use of viral sequence data to identify HIV transmission networks for public health

Statistical Communications in Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1515/scid-2019-0019 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (s1) ◽

Author(s):

Rami Kantor ◽

John P. Fulton ◽

Jon Steingrimsson ◽

Vladimir Novitsky ◽

Mark Howison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

United States ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Sequence Data ◽

The United States ◽

Viral Sequence ◽

Transmission Networks ◽

New Methods ◽

Hiv Epidemic ◽

The World

AbstractGreat efforts are devoted to end the HIV epidemic as it continues to have profound public health consequences in the United States and throughout the world, and new interventions and strategies are continuously needed. The use of HIV sequence data to infer transmission networks holds much promise to direct public heath interventions where they are most needed. As these new methods are being implemented, evaluating their benefits is essential. In this paper, we recognize challenges associated with such evaluation, and make the case that overcoming these challenges is key to the use of HIV sequence data in routine public health actions to disrupt HIV transmission networks.

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A2 HIV transmission networks among injection drug users in Pakistan

Virus Evolution ◽

10.1093/ve/vew036.001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 3 (suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Francois Cholette ◽

John Ho ◽

Hillary McCoubrey ◽

Kiana Kadivar ◽

Laura Thompson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Injection Drug Users ◽

Drug Users ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Injection Drug ◽

Transmission Networks

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Implementation of a Rapid Entry Program Decreases Time to Viral Suppression Among Vulnerable Persons Living With HIV in the Southern United States

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofy104 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Jonathan Colasanti ◽

Jeri Sumitani ◽

C Christina Mehta ◽

Yiran Zhang ◽

Minh Ly Nguyen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Viral Suppression ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Population Level ◽

The United States ◽

Clinic Visit ◽

Art Initiation ◽

Persons Living With Hiv ◽

Sex With Men

Abstract Background Rapid entry programs (REPs) improve time to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation (TAI) and time to viral suppression (TVS). We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a REP in a large HIV clinic in Atlanta, Georgia, serving a predominately un- or underinsured population. Methods The Rapid Entry and ART in Clinic for HIV (REACH) program was implemented on May 16, 2016. We performed a retrospective cohort study with the main independent variable being period of enrollment: January 1, 2016, through May 15, 2016 (pre-REACH); May 16, 2016, through July 31, 2016 (post-REACH). Included individuals were HIV-infected and new to the clinic with detectable HIV-1 RNA. Six-month follow-up data were collected for each participant. Survival analyses were conducted for TVS. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate secondary outcomes: attendance at first clinic visit, viral suppression, TAI, and time to first attended provider visit. Results There were 117 pre-REACH and 90 post-REACH individuals. Median age (interquartile range [IQR]) was 35 (25–45) years, 80% were male, 91% black, 60% men who have sex with men, 57% uninsured, and 44% active substance users. TVS decreased from 77 (62–96) to 57 (41–70) days (P < .0022). Time to first attended provider visit decreased from 17 to 5 days, and TAI from 21 to 7 days (P < .0001), each remaining significant in adjusted models. Conclusions This is the largest rapid entry cohort described in the United States and suggests that rapid entry is feasible and could have a positive impact on HIV transmission at the population level.

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HIV-1 Transmission Networks Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Asia

Clinical Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/cid/ciu480 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 59 (6) ◽

pp. 910-911 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

K. T. Ng ◽

K. Y. Ng ◽

J. H.-K. Chen ◽

O. T. Ng ◽

A. Kamarulzaman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transmission Networks ◽

Sex With Men ◽

Hiv 1

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The reporting of the mode of transmission among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Lviv oblast, Ukraine, 2014-2018

The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries ◽

10.3855/jidc.11967 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (11.1) ◽

pp. 122S-127S

Author(s):

Maryana Sluzhynska ◽

Olga Denisiuk ◽

Ruzanna Grigoryan ◽

Yulia Sereda ◽

Gennadiy Slabkiy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urban Areas ◽

Hiv Transmission ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Medical Doctor ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Aids Epidemic ◽

Mode Of Transmission ◽

Sex With Men

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are one of the key populations driving HIV/AIDS epidemic globally. To date, MSM is the only population in Ukraine where the prevalence and incidence of HIV is increasing. As HIV-positive MSM might feel uncomfortable to report homosexual intercourses as a possible mode of transmission (MoT) of HIV, they prefer being registered as patients with heterosexual or non-defined MoT. This study aimed to calculate the proportion of misclassified MoT among HIV-positive MSM registered in Lviv oblast, Ukraine, during 2014-2018. Methodology: Cross-sectional study with 127 HIV-positive MSM patients from Lviv region for the period of 2014-2018. Results: Out of 127 HIV-positive MSM included in the study, 110 (86.6%) were from urban areas. In addition, 52 patients (40.9%) were diagnosed with stage 1 HIV, 16 (12.6%) – stage 2, 19 (15%) – stage 3, and 36 (28.3%) – stage 4. CD4 count < 200 cells/μL was found in 35 (27.6%) patients. Mean time from registration to antiretroviral therapy initiation was 80 days. During the first visit to medical doctor out of those 48 patients who had previously reported “other modes” of HIV transmission, 33 patients (68.7%) disclosed homosexual MoT of HIV. The remaining 15 (31.3%) patients disclosed their homosexual MoT of HIV later – during their regular follow-up visits to the doctor. Conclusion: Special measures are needed to improve the reporting of homosexual MoT which can potentially strengthen the HIV care among MSM.

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