AIDS and prevalence of antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in high risk groups in Thailand
Traisupa, A.; Wongba, C.; Taylor, D.N.
Genitourinary Medicine 63(2): 106-108
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0266-4348 PMID: 3646990 DOI: 10.1136/sti.63.2.106Document Number: 367524
Since September 1984, there have been 6 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) diagnosed in Thailand, all of which involved homosexual or bisexual males. 2 of the AIDS patients were Americans, 2 were Europeans, and 2 were Thais. In addition, there have been 11 cases of AIDS-related complex (ARC), 9 involving homosexual or bisexual men. To gain more information on the prevalence of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in high-risk groups in THailand, serum samples were collected in April 1985 from 127 asymptomatic Thai homosexuals and 77 female prostitutes from a beach resort near Bangkok. At this point, only 3 (2%) of the homosexual men and none of the prostitutes were HIV-positive. A 2nd, more extensive survey involving 3909 homosexual male prostitutes, female prostitutes, and heterosexual men from both the same beach resort and Bangkok was conducted in October 1985-January 1986. In this survey, homosexual male prostitutes in the beach resort were the only group with Western-blot-confirmed HIV- positive serostatus; 6 (2.5%) of the 244 members of this risk group screened were HIV-positive. Sexual contact with US or European homosexual men appears to be the major risk factor for HIV infection among Thais. To screen homosexual men for HIV, the Government of Thailand has set up a special sexually transmitted disease clinic in Bangkok and implemented HIV testing in government hospitals. Since May 1985, AIDS had been a disease notifiable to the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health has proposed that all patients with AIDS should be quarantined.