Document 0022 DOCN M9460022 TI [Epidemiology of HIV-1 infection in Bern--application of molecular methods] DT 9408 AU Deiss V; von Overbeck J; Furrer HJ; Germann D; Matter L; Telenti A; Institut fur Medizinische Mikrobiologie, Universitat und; Medizinische Poliklinik des Inselspitals, Bern. SO Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1994 Apr 2;124(13):539-44. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/94225191 AB Systematic application of molecular techniques for epidemiology may serve as a useful tool in the evaluation of HIV transmission in small populations, and allows for better targeting of prevention programs while complementing classical epidemiological methods and preserving the privacy of individuals. Coded serum samples from 24 randomly chosen patients belonging to the HIV cohort of Berne were investigated by direct assessment of partial env gene sequences. This information was used to construct a preliminary sequence database. Thereafter, nine couples, amongst whom HIV transmission was thought possible, were assessed in a blind and coded fashion. Sequence data demonstrated that the main viral subtype circulating in Berne has the characteristics of the American-European HIV-1 strain (96% amino acid homology). 4 of 9 couples were shown to share viral strains. Other potential couples carried strains with sequence characteristics that did not support the possibility of transmission. These data provide a basis for future epidemiological studies in our community. DE Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/EPIDEMIOLOGY/GENETICS/ *MICROBIOLOGY Amino Acid Sequence Cohort Studies English Abstract Female Gene Products, env/ISOLATION & PURIF Human HIV-1/*GENETICS Male Molecular Sequence Data Polymerase Chain Reaction Switzerland/EPIDEMIOLOGY JOURNAL ARTICLE SOURCE: National Library of Medicine. NOTICE: This material may be protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).