Redd AD, Mullis CE, Serwadda D, Kong X, Martens C, Ricklefs SM, Tobian AA, Xiao C, Grabowski MK, Nalugoda F, Kigozi G, Laeyendecker O, Kagaayi J, Sewankambo N, Gray RH, Porcella SF, Wawer MJ, Quinn TC.
J Infect Dis. 2012 Jul 15;206(2):267-74. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jis325. Epub 2012 Jun 5. PMID: 22675216. PMCID: PMC341593
Abstract
Background:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) superinfection has been documented in high-risk individuals; however, the rate of superinfection among HIV-infected individuals within a general population remains unknown.
Methods:
A novel next-generation ultra-deep sequencing technique was utilized to determine the rate of HIV superinfection in a heterosexual population by examining two regions of the viral genome in longitudinal samples from recent HIV seroconverters (n=149) in Rakai District, Uganda.
Results:
The rate of superinfection was 1.44 per 100 person years (PYs) (95% confidence interval [CI], .4-2.5) and consisted of both inter- and intrasubtype superinfections. This was compared to primary HIV incidence in 20 220 initially HIV-negative individuals in the general population in Rakai (1.15 per 100 PYs; 95% CI, 1.1-1.2; P= .26). Propensity score matching (PS) was used to control for differences in sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics between the HIV-positive individuals at risk for superinfection and the HIV-negative population at baseline and follow-up. After PS matching, the estimated rate of primary incidence was 3.28 per 100 PYs (95% CI, 2.0-5.3; P = .07) controlling for baseline differences and 2.51 per 100 PYs (95% CI, 1.5-4.3; P = .24) controlling for follow-up differences.
Conclusions:
This suggests that the rate of HIV superinfection in a general population is substantial, which could have a significant impact on future public health and HIV vaccine strategies.