Decline in the HIV-1 Isolation Rate in Japan: A 12-Year Observation

• Published in: MICROBIOLOGY and IMMUNOLOGY 2000, Vol.44(11), pp.949-952
• Main Authors: Nakasone, Tadashi, Takamatsu, Junki, Watanabe, Kuhomi, Naganawa, Satoshi, Someya, Kenji, Yoshino, Naoto, Kaizu, Masahiko, Ohsu, Takeaki, Takizawa, Mari, Izumi, Yasuyuki, Kawahara, Mamoru, Hara, Takashi, Fujimura, Yoshihiro, Yamada, Kaneo, Nagai, Yoshiyuki, Yamazaki, Shudo, Honda, Mitsuo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Epidemiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - virology; HIV-1; HIV-1 - drug effects; HIV-1 - isolation & purification; Human immunodeficiency virus 1; Humans; Infant; Japan; Japan - epidemiology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - virology; Male; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Viremia; Virology; Virus isolation
• ISSN: 0385-5600; 1348-0421
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1348-0421.2000.tb02588.x

Since 1988, we have isolated HIV-1 from 614 HIV-1-infected persons (total sample=2, 785) in Japan. During the past 12 years, we have found a decline in the HIY-1 isolation rate in Japan, with two identifiable turning points, 1991-1992 and 1996-1997. The two turning points correspond to shifts in anti-HIV-1 therapy. These findings suggest that HIV-1 in Japan is currently biologically well controlled, probably due to anti-HIV-1 therapy. On the other hand, this decline is inconsistent with the recent increase of genetic drug-resistant HIV-1 in Japan. Further studies are needed to clarify mechanisms that might explain the discrepancy.