DUAL SEROREACTIVITY TO HIV-1 AND HIV-2 IN FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN ABIDJAN, COTE-DIVOIRE

Objective: To determine the absolute and proportional prevalence of du al seroreactivity to HIV-1 and HIV-2 in female sex workers in Abidjan, to determine risk determinants for this serologic profile, and to des cribe the associated clinical and immunological characteristics. Desig n: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Confidential clinic for female sex workers in Abidjan. Participants: Female sex workers. Main outcome mea sures: HIV serostatus, CD4+ counts, women with AIDS, behavioural and s ociodemographic characteristics. Results: Among 1209 women tested, the overall HIV seroprevalence was 80%, while the prevalence of dual sero reactivity was 30%. Dual seroreactivity accounted for 38% of all HIV i nfections. Compared with women reacting to HIV-1 only, dually seroreac tive women were significantly more likely to have been in sex work for a longer period, to be aged greater than or equal to 20 years, and to charge less money for intercourse. No difference in mean CD4+ count w as noted between women with dual seroreactivity (561 x 10(6)/l) and HI V-1-seropositive women (588 x 10(6)/l). Conclusions: Female sex worker s in Abidjan had the highest absolute (30%) and proportional rate (38% ) of dual seroreactivity yet described in any population. Increased se xual exposure is associated with an increased risk of dual Seroreactiv ity. Although better molecular diagnostic techniques are required, a s ubstantial proportion of female sex workers in Abidjan is likely to be infected with both HIV-1 and HIV-2.