[Zidovudine-resistant HIV strains in untreated intravenous drug users and homosexual men in Amsterdam infected in 1996].

OBJECTIVE

To gain insight into the spread of HIV strains with different sensitivities to antiretroviral drugs prescribed in the Netherlands.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study in intravenous drug users and homosexual men.

SETTING

Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

METHODS

HIV negative participants in the Amsterdam cohort studies among homosexual men and intravenous drug users are tested two to three times a year for HIV antibodies. The first positive serum sample of those who seroconverted was used to determine, on the basis of the nucleotide sequence of the reverse transcriptase gene of HIV, if viruses were present with a reduced sensitivity to reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

RESULTS

In 1996, 17 new HIV infections occurred (8 in homosexual men and 9 in intravenous drug users). In two new infections in homosexual men HIV strains with reduced sensitivity to zidovudine were present.