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Background. Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is divided into subtypes and circulating recombinant forms (CRFs) but the impact of subtype/CRF on disease progression is not fully understood.Methods. We determined the HIV-1 subtype/CRF of 152 seroincident individuals from Guinea-Bissau, based on the C2–V3 region of env. Disease progression was measured as time from estimated seroconversion to AIDS and AIDS-related death. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using a Cox proportional hazard model, adjusting for gender and age at seroconversion.Results. The major subtypes/CRFs identified were CRF02_AG (53%), A3 (29%), and A3/02 (a recombinant of A3 and CRF02_AG) (13%). Infection with A3/02 was associated with a close to 3-fold increased risk of AIDS and AIDS-related death compared to A3 (HR = 2.6 [P = 0.011] and 2.9 [P = 0.032], respectively). The estimated time from seroconversion to AIDS and AIDS-related death was 5.0 and 8.0 years for A3/02, 6.2 and 9.0 years for CRF02_AG, and 7.2 and 11.3 years for A3.Conclusion. Our results show that there are differences in disease progression between HIV-1 A-like subtypes/CRFs. Individuals infected with A3/02 have among the fastest progression rates to AIDS reported to date. Determining the HIV-1 subtype of infected individuals could be important in the management of HIV-1 infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Humans, independent on where they live, are exposed to complex and various mixtures of chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The variability of the exposure depends on sources of the chemicals and is influenced by e.g. geography, social and cultural heritage. While exposures to POPs are frequently studied in populations from developed industrial countries, very little is known on levels and trends of POPs in developing countries, especially in Africa. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate levels and temporal trends of POPs in adults from Guinea-Bissau. Methods: Serum samples were obtained from an open cohort of police officers in Guinea-Bissau. Repeated samples from 33 individuals were obtained at five time points between 1990 and 2007, in all 147 samples. Pooled serum samples were extracted and cleaned-up prior to analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The concentration of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (4,4′-DDT) and its metabolites, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) were determined. Results: The major POP found in all samples was 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethene (4,4′-DDE) followed by 4,4′-DDT. 4,4′-DDE, 4,4′-DDT, PCBs and β- and γ-HCH were significantly decreasing over time. The PBDEs were found at low concentrations, with an increasing temporal trend for BDE-153. Conclusion: National and international management may be behind the observed decreased organohalogen compound concentrations in humans from Guinea-Bissau from the early 1990''s and onwards, similarly to the development of these compounds in humans from industrial countries. In contrast, PBDEs follow a trend of increasing concentrations even though at low levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]