1
|
Roussos S, Pantazis N, Protopapas K, Antoniadou A, Papadopoulos A, Lourida G, Papastamopoulos V, Chini M, Alexakis K, Barbounakis E, Kofteridis D, Leonidou L, Marangos M, Petrakis V, Panagopoulos P, Mastrogianni E, Basoulis D, Palla P, Sipsas N, Vasalou V, Paparizos V, Metallidis S, Chrysanthidis T, Katsarolis I, Sypsa V, Psichogiou M. Missed opportunities for early HIV diagnosis in Greece: The MORFEAS study, 2019 to 2021. Euro Surveill 2024; 29:2400138. [PMID: 39611208 PMCID: PMC11605803 DOI: 10.2807/1560-7917.es.2024.29.48.2400138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 11/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BackgroundLate HIV diagnosis (CD4+ T-cell count < 350 cells/μL, or with an AIDS-defining event) remains a persistent challenge in Greece, indicating potential missed opportunities (MOs) for earlier testing.AimTo determine the frequency of HIV indicator conditions (ICs) preceding diagnosis and to quantify MOs for earlier testing at a nationwide level in Greece.MethodsThis multicentre retrospective study analysed data on 823 antiretroviral therapy-naive adults (≥ 18 years) diagnosed with HIV during 2019-21. Medical records were reviewed to identify pre-diagnosis healthcare contacts (HCCs) and ICs justifying HIV testing. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with ≥ 1 MO. A Bayesian model estimated the time from seroconversion to diagnosis.ResultsAmong 517 participants with HCC data, 249 had ≥ 1 HCC. Of these, 59.0% (147/249) were late presenters. These cases had 365 HCCs, and 191 (52.3%) were MOs for testing. The most common ICs were sexually transmitted infections (39.8%; 76/191) and fever (11.0%; 21/191). Non-Greek origin was associated with lower odds of experiencing ≥ 1 MO (adjusted odds ratio: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.22─1.02), while higher education increased odds of MOs for early HIV diagnosis. Median time from seroconversion to diagnosis was 3.2 years for the full sample and 3.7 years for those with HCC, with about half of the latter reporting MOs post-estimated seroconversion. Recognising MOs would have potentially spared approximately 1 year of delay in diagnosis.ConclusionMOs for earlier HIV diagnosis were prevalent in Greece. Leveraging IC-guided testing and addressing barriers could support earlier diagnosis and treatment, limiting adverse health outcomes and preventing transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sotirios Roussos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Pantazis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Protopapas
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, ATTIKON University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Antoniadou
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, ATTIKON University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, ATTIKON University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Giota Lourida
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Evangelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maria Chini
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, 'Red Cross' Korgialeneio-Benakeio General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Alexakis
- Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Herakleion University General Hospital (PAGNH), Herakleion, Crete, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Barbounakis
- Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Herakleion University General Hospital (PAGNH), Herakleion, Crete, Greece
| | - Diamantis Kofteridis
- Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Herakleion University General Hospital (PAGNH), Herakleion, Crete, Greece
| | - Lydia Leonidou
- Department of Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Patras University General Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Markos Marangos
- Department of Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Patras University General Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Vasileios Petrakis
- Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Alexandroupolis University General Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine and HIV/ID Unit, Alexandroupolis University General Hospital, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | | | - Dimitrios Basoulis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Palla
- Pathophysiology Department, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Sipsas
- Pathophysiology Department, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Varvara Vasalou
- 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology, HIV Unit, Andreas Syggros University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Paparizos
- 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology, HIV Unit, Andreas Syggros University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Simeon Metallidis
- 1st Internal Medicine Department, Infectious Diseases Division, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theofilos Chrysanthidis
- 1st Internal Medicine Department, Infectious Diseases Division, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Katsarolis
- Medical Affairs, Gilead Sciences Hellas and Cyprus, Paleo Faliro, Greece
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mina Psichogiou
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kostaki EG, Roussos S, Kefala AM, Limnaios S, Psichogiou M, Papachristou E, Nikolopoulos G, Flountzi E, Friedman SR, Lagiou P, Hatzakis A, Sypsa V, Magiorkinis G, Beloukas A, Paraskevis D. Molecular epidemiology of HIV among people who inject drugs after the HIV-outbreak in Athens, Greece: Evidence for a 'slow burn' outbreak. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 121:105597. [PMID: 38663466 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND New diagnoses of HIV-1 infection among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Athens, Greece, saw a significant increase in 2011 and a subsequent decline after 2013. Despite this, ongoing HIV-1 transmission persisted from 2014 to 2020 within this population. Our objective was to estimate the time of infection for PWID in Athens following the HIV-1 outbreak, explore the patterns of HIV-1 dispersal over time, and determine the duration from infection to diagnosis. METHODS Time from HIV-1 infection to diagnosis was estimated for 844 individuals infected within 4 PWID-specific clusters and for 8 PWID infected with sub-subtype A6 diagnosed during 2010-2019. Phylogeny reconstruction was performed using the maximum-likelihood method. HIV-1 infection dates were based on molecular clock calculations. RESULTS In total 86 of 92 (93.5%) sequences from PWID diagnosed during 2016-2019 were either related to the previously identified PWID-specific clusters (n = 81) or belonged to a new A6 cluster (n = 5). The median time between infection and diagnosis was 0.42 years during the outbreak period and 0.70 years during 2016-2019 (p < 0.001). The proportion of clustered sequences from PWID was very low at 5.3% during the pre-outbreak period (1998-2009), saw an increase to 41.7% one year before the outbreak in 2010, and consistently remained high during the whole period after 2011, spanning the post-outbreak period (2016-2019) with a range from 92.9% to 100%. CONCLUSIONS The substantial proportion of clustered infections (93.5%) during 2016-2019 implies a persistent 'slow burn' HIV outbreak among PWID in Athens, suggesting that the outbreak was not successfully eliminated. The consistently high proportion of clustered sequences since the onset of the outbreak suggests the persistence of ongoing HIV-1 transmission attributed to injection practices. Our findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions among PWID, considering the ongoing transmission rate and prolonged time from infection to diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Roussos
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Stefanos Limnaios
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Mina Psichogiou
- First Department of Internal Medicine, "Laiko" General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Papachristou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Eleni Flountzi
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York City, USA
| | - Pagona Lagiou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| | - Apostolos Beloukas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece; National AIDS Reference Centre of Southern Greece, Department of Public Health Policy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang ME, Goyal R, Anderson CM, Mehta SR, Little SJ. Assessing the reliability of the CD4 depletion model in the presence of Ending the HIV Epidemic initiatives. AIDS 2023; 37:1617-1624. [PMID: 37260256 PMCID: PMC10524824 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000003614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accurate estimates of HIV incidence are necessary to monitor progress towards Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative targets (90% decline by 2030). U.S. incidence estimates are derived from a CD4 depletion model (CD4 model). We performed simulation-based analyses to investigate the ability of this model to estimate HIV incidence when implementing EHE interventions that have the potential to shorten the duration between HIV infection and diagnosis (diagnosis delay). METHODS Our simulation study evaluates the impact of three parameters on the accuracy of incidence estimates derived from the CD4 model: rate of HIV incidence decline, length of diagnosis delay, and sensitivity of using CD4 + cell counts to identify new infections (recency error). We model HIV incidence and diagnoses after the implementation of a theoretical prevention intervention and compare HIV incidence estimates derived from the CD4 model to simulated incidence. RESULTS Theoretical interventions that shortened the diagnosis delay (10-50%) result in overestimation of HIV incidence by the CD4 model (10-92%) in the first year and by more than 10% for the first 6 years after implementation of the intervention. Changes in the rate of HIV incidence decline and the presence of recency error had minimal impact on the accuracy of incidence estimates derived from the CD4 model. CONCLUSION In the setting of EHE interventions to identify persons with HIV earlier during infection, the CD4 model overestimates HIV incidence. Alternative methods to estimate incidence based on objective measures of incidence are needed to assess and monitor EHE interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Tang
- University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kostaki EG, Limnaios S, Adamis G, Xylomenos G, Chini M, Mangafas N, Lazanas M, Patrinos S, Metallidis S, Tsachouridou O, Papastamopoulos V, Chatzidimitriou D, Antoniadou A, Papadopoulos A, Protopapas K, Tsiara C, Psichogiou M, Basoulis D, Pilalas D, Paraskeva D, Chrysos G, Paparizos V, Kourkounti S, Sambatakou H, Bolanos V, Sipsas NV, Lada M, Barbounakis E, Kantzilaki E, Panagopoulos P, Petrakis V, Drimis S, Katsarolis I, Lagiou P, Hatzakis A, Magiorkinis G, Skoura L, Paraskevis D. Estimation of the determinants for HIV late presentation using the traditional definition and molecular clock-inferred dates: Evidence that older age, heterosexual risk group and more recent diagnosis are prognostic factors. HIV Med 2022; 23:1143-1152. [PMID: 36258653 PMCID: PMC10092532 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES HIV late presentation (LP) has been increasing in recent years in Europe. Our aim was to investigate the characteristics of LP in Greece using in addition to the traditional definition for LP, the time interval between HIV infection and diagnosis. METHODS Our nationwide sample included HIV-1 sequences generated from 6166 people living with HIV (PLWH) in Greece during the period 1999-2015. Our analysis was based on the molecularly inferred HIV-1 infection dates for PLWH infected within local molecular transmission clusters of subtypes A1 and B. RESULTS Analysis of the determinants of LP was conducted using either CD4 counts or AIDS-defining condition at diagnosis or the time from infection to diagnosis. Older age, heterosexual transmission risk group and more recent diagnosis were associated with increased risk for LP. In contrast to previous studies, people who inject drugs (PWID) had a shorter median time to diagnosis (0.63 years) compared to men who have sex with men (MSM) (1.72 years) and heterosexuals (2.43 years). Using HIV infection dates that provide an unbiased marker for LP compared to CD4 counts at diagnosis, which are age-dependent, we estimated that the time to diagnosis increased gradually with age. Migrants infected regionally do not differ with respect to LP status compared to native Greeks. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that older people and heterosexuals are among those at higher risk for LP; and given the growing number of older people among newly diagnosed cases, tailored interventions are needed in these populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stefanos Limnaios
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Adamis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Xylomenos
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Chini
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, "Korgialeneio-Benakeio" Red Cross General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Mangafas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, "Korgialeneio-Benakeio" Red Cross General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Lazanas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, "Korgialeneio-Benakeio" Red Cross General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Simeon Metallidis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Olga Tsachouridou
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasileios Papastamopoulos
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Evaggelismos General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Chatzidimitriou
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Anastasia Antoniadou
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Protopapas
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Mina Psichogiou
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Basoulis
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Pilalas
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra Paraskeva
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Georgios Chrysos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | - Vasileios Paparizos
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Kourkounti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, Athens, Greece
| | - Helen Sambatakou
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Bolanos
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos V Sipsas
- Department of Pathophysiology, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Malvina Lada
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Sismanogleion General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Barbounakis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion "PAGNI", Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Evrikleia Kantzilaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion "PAGNI", Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Vasilis Petrakis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
| | - Stelios Drimis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, Piraeus, Greece
| | | | - Pagona Lagiou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Lemonia Skoura
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nikolopoulos GK, Tsantes AG. Recent HIV Infection: Diagnosis and Public Health Implications. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:2657. [PMID: 36359500 PMCID: PMC9689622 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The early period of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been associated with higher infectiousness and, consequently, with more transmission events. Over the last 30 years, assays have been developed that can detect viral and immune biomarkers during the first months of HIV infection. Some of them depend on the functional properties of antibodies including their changing titers or the increasing strength of binding with antigens over time. There have been efforts to estimate HIV incidence using antibody-based assays that detect recent HIV infection along with other laboratory and clinical information. Moreover, some interventions are based on the identification of people who were recently infected by HIV. This review summarizes the evolution of efforts to develop assays for the detection of recent HIV infection and to use these assays for the cross-sectional estimation of HIV incidence or for prevention purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andreas G. Tsantes
- Microbiology Department, “Saint Savvas” Oncology Hospital, 11522 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Limnaios S, Kostaki EG, Adamis G, Astriti M, Chini M, Mangafas N, Lazanas M, Patrinos S, Metallidis S, Tsachouridou O, Papastamopoulos V, Kakalou E, Chatzidimitriou D, Antoniadou A, Papadopoulos A, Psichogiou M, Basoulis D, Gova M, Pilalas D, Paraskeva D, Chrysos G, Paparizos V, Kourkounti S, Sambatakou H, Bolanos V, Sipsas NV, Lada M, Barbounakis E, Kantzilaki E, Panagopoulos P, Maltezos E, Drimis S, Sypsa V, Lagiou P, Magiorkinis G, Hatzakis A, Skoura L, Paraskevis D. Dating the Origin and Estimating the Transmission Rates of the Major HIV-1 Clusters in Greece: Evidence about the Earliest Subtype A1 Epidemic in Europe. Viruses 2022; 14:v14010101. [PMID: 35062305 PMCID: PMC8782043 DOI: 10.3390/v14010101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to estimate the date of the origin and the transmission rates of the major local clusters of subtypes A1 and B in Greece. Phylodynamic analyses were conducted in 14 subtype A1 and 31 subtype B clusters. The earliest dates of origin for subtypes A1 and B were in 1982.6 and in 1985.5, respectively. The transmission rate for the subtype A1 clusters ranged between 7.54 and 39.61 infections/100 person years (IQR: 9.39, 15.88), and for subtype B clusters between 4.42 and 36.44 infections/100 person years (IQR: 7.38, 15.04). Statistical analysis revealed that the average difference in the transmission rate between the PWID and the MSM clusters was 6.73 (95% CI: 0.86 to 12.60; p = 0.026). Our study provides evidence that the date of introduction of subtype A1 in Greece was the earliest in Europe. Transmission rates were significantly higher for PWID than MSM clusters due to the conditions that gave rise to an extensive PWID HIV-1 outbreak ten years ago in Athens, Greece. Transmission rate can be considered as a valuable measure for public health since it provides a proxy of the rate of epidemic growth within a cluster and, therefore, it can be useful for targeted HIV prevention programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos Limnaios
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Evangelia Georgia Kostaki
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Georgios Adamis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.A.); (M.A.)
| | - Myrto Astriti
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, G. Gennimatas General Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece; (G.A.); (M.A.)
| | - Maria Chini
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, “Korgialeneio-Benakeio” Red Cross General Hospital, 11526 Athens, Greece; (M.C.); (N.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Nikos Mangafas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, “Korgialeneio-Benakeio” Red Cross General Hospital, 11526 Athens, Greece; (M.C.); (N.M.); (M.L.)
| | - Marios Lazanas
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases Unit, “Korgialeneio-Benakeio” Red Cross General Hospital, 11526 Athens, Greece; (M.C.); (N.M.); (M.L.)
| | | | - Simeon Metallidis
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.M.); (O.T.)
| | - Olga Tsachouridou
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.M.); (O.T.)
| | - Vasileios Papastamopoulos
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (E.K.)
| | - Eleni Kakalou
- 5th Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Evaggelismos General Hospital, 10676 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (E.K.)
| | - Dimitrios Chatzidimitriou
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Anastasia Antoniadou
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Antonios Papadopoulos
- 4th Department of Medicine, Attikon University General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (A.A.); (A.P.)
| | - Mina Psichogiou
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.B.)
| | - Dimitrios Basoulis
- 1st Department of Medicine, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (D.B.)
| | - Maria Gova
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Dimitrios Pilalas
- Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Dimitra Paraskeva
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Piraeus, Greece; (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Georgios Chrysos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Piraeus, Greece; (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Vasileios Paparizos
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, 16121 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Sofia Kourkounti
- HIV/AIDS Unit, A. Syngros Hospital of Dermatology and Venereology, 16121 Athens, Greece; (V.P.); (S.K.)
| | - Helen Sambatakou
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (H.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Vasileios Bolanos
- HIV Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (H.S.); (V.B.)
| | - Nikolaos V. Sipsas
- Department of Pathophysiology, Laikon General Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Malvina Lada
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Sismanogleion General Hospital, 15126 Marousi, Greece;
| | - Emmanouil Barbounakis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion “PAGNI”, Medical School, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Evrikleia Kantzilaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion “PAGNI”, Medical School, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Greece; (E.B.); (E.K.)
| | - Periklis Panagopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (P.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Efstratios Maltezos
- Department of Internal Medicine, University General Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece; (P.P.); (E.M.)
| | - Stelios Drimis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Tzaneio General Hospital, 18536 Piraeus, Greece; (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.D.)
| | - Vana Sypsa
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Pagona Lagiou
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Gkikas Magiorkinis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Angelos Hatzakis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
| | - Lemonia Skoura
- National AIDS Reference Centre of Northern Greece, Department of Microbiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece; (D.C.); (L.S.)
| | - Dimitrios Paraskevis
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece; (S.L.); (E.G.K.); (M.G.); (V.S.); (P.L.); (G.M.); (A.H.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|