Title:The Emerging of CRF01_AE: A Clinical Story and Future HIV/AIDS Situation in Thailand
VOLUME: 18 ISSUE: 2
Author(s):Poramed Winichakoon and Siripong Tongjai*
Affiliation:Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Tambon Sriphum, Amphoe Muang, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Tambon Sriphum, Amphoe Muang
Keywords:HIV, AIDS, MSM, CRF01_AE, research, CSW.
Abstract:The HIV epidemic in Thailand in the 1980’s compromised the country’s socio-economic
development. The epidemic first became evident in the community of men with male sexual partners
(MSM), and subsequently spread to intravenous drug users (IVDU), female commercial sex
workers (CSW) and their male clients, and, ultimately, to their partners and children. The HIV epidemic
has devastated the country’s working-age population. The extensive negative impact and social
stigma associated with the disease do not only have an impact on the victims of HIV but also
on their descendants and relatives. An epicenter of the HIV epidemic has been in the northern provinces
of Thailand. An HIV-1 subtype CRF01_AE, a complex chimeric virus composed of both A
and E subtypes, is prevalent in Northern Thailand. The virus has quickly become a predominant viral
strain circulating in Thailand, other neighboring Southeast Asian countries, and China as well as
some other countries throughout the world. The epidemiology, evolution, and biology of
CRF01_AE offer a unique model for further scientific investigations which would advance the
knowledge of and curative strategies against HIV. In addition, Thailand has developed suitable national
guidelines on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in order to control the epidemic. Effective
antiretroviral drugs are, therefore, able to be made available to those who live with HIV. The national
surveillance system has also been effective. The great efforts and resources which Thailand
has dedicated to the fight against the epidemic have eventually paid off. In 2010, a plan was proposed
to eliminate mother-to-child HIV transmission and Thailand has become the first country to
be effective in this objective. Thailand therefore has become recognized as being the global leader
in HIV prevention and treatment. The experience which Thailand has gained from the past and the
current research and management strategies of the HIV epidemic has prepared the country for
emerging strains of HIV-1 in the future.
