The Frontlikne of HIV1 Diffusion in the Central African Region: A Geographical and Epidemiological Perspective

Abstract

The geographical analysis of the main data on the HIV1 epidemic in Central Africa shows a frontline which has not moved significantly since 1985. The absence of a progressive increase between the countries, demonstrating a discontinuity in space, combined with the observed human and physical continuity within the areas, raises several questions. Are the low-rate areas facing only a simple delay in the diffusion, or is there a real difference between the epidemiological patterns of HIV1 in the two areas? The last hypothesis would impose a revision of the concept of an homogeneous pattern in the epidemiology of HIV1 in Africa. The need for further research is emphasized with the aim of precisely targeting preventive intervention.

Phylodynamics of HIV-1 from a Phase-III AIDS Vaccine Trial in North America

“…Given the age of the HIV-1 epidemic in North America (AIDS was recognized in United States in 1981) and the fact that the virus is thought to mutate at a rate of 1% per year (Shankarappa et al 1999; Korber et al 2000), the possibility existed that different clades would have emerged in different parts of North America. But again, our trees indicate that, contrary to what was observed in other continents such as Africa (Tessier et al 1993; Papathanasopoulos et al 2003; Peeters et al 2003; Ferrante et al 2005) and Asia (Weniger et al 1994; Oelrichs and Crowe 2003), the North American population was homogeneous across the entire area of study. Although unexpected, this is not totally surprising considering that individuals in developed countries travel much more than individuals in undeveloped ones.…”