Integrase mutants defective for interaction with LEDGF/p75 are impaired in chromosome tethering and HIV-1 replication

<p>The insertion of a DNA copy of its RNA genome into a chromosome of the host cell is mediated by the viral integrase with the help of mostly uncharacterized cellular cofactors. We have recently described that the transcriptional co-activator LEDGF/p75 strongly interacts with HIV-1 integrase. Here we show that interaction of HIV-1 integrase with LEDGF/p75 is important for viral replication. Using multiple approaches including two-hybrid interaction studies, random and directed mutagenesis, we could demonstrate that HIV-1 virus harboring a single mutation that disrupts integrase-LEDGF/p75 interaction, resulted in defective HIV-1 replication. Furthermore, we found that LEDGF/p75 tethers HIV-1 integrase to chromosomes and that this interaction may be important for the integration process and the replication of HIV-1.</p>

Characterization of the nuclear import pathway for HIV-1 integrase

<p>The karyophilic properties of the human immunodeficiency virus, type I (HIV-1) pre-integration complex (PIC) allow the virus to infect non-dividing cells. To better understand the mechanisms responsible for nuclear translocation of the PIC, we investigated nuclear import of HIV-1 integrase (IN), a PIC-associated viral enzyme involved in the integration of the viral genome in the host cell DNA. Accumulation of HIV-1 IN into nuclei of digitonin-permeabilized cells does not result from passive diffusion but rather from an active transport that occurs through the nuclear pore complexes. HIV-1 IN is imported by a saturable mechanism, implying that a limiting cellular factor is responsible for this process. Although IN has been previously proposed to contain classical basic nuclear localization signals, we found that nuclear accumulation of IN does not involve karyopherins alpha, beta1, and beta2-mediated pathways. Neither the non-hydrolyzable GTP analog, guanosine 5'-O-(thiotriphosphate), nor the GTP hydrolysis-deficient Ran mutant, RanQ69L, significantly affects nuclear import of IN, which depends instead on ATP hydrolysis. Therefore these results support the idea that IN import is not mediated by members of the karyopherin beta family. More generally, in vitro nuclear import of IN does not require addition of cytosolic factors, suggesting that cellular factor(s) involved in this active but atypical pathway process probably remain associated with the nuclear compartment or the nuclear pore complexes from permeabilized cells.</p>

CURB-65 and Other Markers of Illness Severity in Community-Acquired Pneumonia Among HIV-Positive Patients

As the relative burden of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia among HIV-positive patients increases, adequate prediction of case severity on presentation is crucial. We sought to determine what characteristics measurable on presentation are predictive of worse outcomes. We studied all admissions for community-acquired bacterial pneumonia over one year at a tertiary centre. Patient demographics, comorbidities, HIV-specific markers and CURB-65 scores on Emergency Department presentation were reviewed. Outcomes of interest included mortality, bacteraemia, intensive care unit admission and orotracheal intubation. A total of 396 patients were included: 49 HIV-positive and 347 HIV-negative. Mean CURB-65 score was 1.3 for HIV-positive and 2.2 for HIV-negative patients (p���<���0.0001), its predictive value for mortality being maintained in both groups (p���=���0.03 and p���<���0.001, respectively). Adjusting for CURB-65 scores, HIV infection by itself was only associated with bacteraemia (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.1, 95% CI [2.6-19.5]). Patients with���<���200 CD4 cells/��L presented similar CURB-65 adjusted mortality (aOR 1.7, 95% CI [0.2-15.2]), but higher risk of intensive care unit admission (aOR 5.7, 95% CI [1.5-22.0]) and orotracheal intubation (aOR 9.1, 95% CI [2.2-37.1]), compared to HIV-negative patients. These two associations were not observed in the���>���200 CD4 cells/��L subgroup (aOR 2.2, 95% CI [0.7-7.6] and aOR 0.8, 95% CI [0.1-6.5], respectively). Antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression were not associated with different outcomes (p���>���0.05). High CURB-65 scores and CD4 counts���<���200 cells/��L were both associated with worse outcomes. Severity assessment scales and CD4 counts may both be helpful in predicting severity in HIV-positive patients presenting with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia.

Evaluating the efficiency of community-based HIV testing and counseling strategies in sub-Saharan Africa

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Adaptation and validation into Portuguese language of the HIV Antibody Testing Attitude Scale

Objective. To culturally adapt and validate a version in European Portuguese language of the HIV Antibody Testing Attitude Scale. Methods. Study conducting a methodological investigation for the adaptation and validation of an attitude measurement instrument. The instrument translation and back-translation were performed. Then, a pre-test was conducted. The study used a sample of 317 subjects from the academic community - students, professors and other professionals - who were contacted in the campus. Ethical principles were observed. Results. Three analyses were conducted using the method of principal component analysis (PCA) with five, four and three factors. A three-factor solution was achieved, which presents 50.82% variance. In the analysis of inter-item correlation, values between -0.018 and 0.749 were observed. Internal consistency shows Cronbach���s alpha coefficients of 0.860 overall and between 0.865 and 0.659 in the three factors. Conclusion. The instrument version shows psychometric properties that allow its use in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Protect your body, your temple : Know the Facts about HIV

These bookmarks state: Blacks account for more than 11,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in the state of South Carolina. Blacks account for 27% of the state���s population and 73% of new HIV infections. Among Blacks, men account for 67% of new HIV infections and women account for 33%. The rate of HIV infection for Blacks is more than 7 times as high as the rate among Whites, and more than three times that of Hispanics.

Knowledge, attitudes and motivations among blood donors in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Recruiting safe, volunteer blood donors requires understanding motivations for donating and knowledge and attitudes about HIV. We surveyed 1,600 persons presenting for blood donation at a large blood bank in Sao Paulo, Brazil using a self-administered, structured questionnaire, and classified motivations into three domains as well as categorizing persons by HIV test-seeking behavior. Motivations, in descending order, and their significant associations were: ""altruism``: female gender, volunteer donor and repeat donor status; ""direct appeal``: female gender, repeat donor status and age 21-50 years; ""selfinterest``: male gender, age under 20 years, first-time donor status and lower education. HIV test-seekers were more likely to give incorrect answers regarding HIV risk behavior and blood donation and the ability of antibody testing to detect recent HIV infections. Altruism is the main motivator for blood donation in Brazil; other motivators were associated with specific demographic subgroups. HIV test-seeking might be reduced by educational interventions.

Conhecimentos sobre VIH sida nos clientes de um hospital de Lakes State, Sud��o do Sul

Enquadramento: O VIH/Sida exige uma a����o direcionada na vertente da preven����o, cujo suporte integra a transmiss��o de conhecimentos promotores da ado����o e manuten����o de comportamentos seguros, em conformidade com as caracter��sticas sociais e culturais dos indiv��duos. Objetivos: Validar, para a popula����o do Sud��o do Sul, a Escala de Conhecimentos sobre VIH/Sida, The HIV Knowledge Questionnaire: HIV-KQ-45, de Carey et al. (1997); analisar de que forma as vari��veis sociodemogr��ficas influenciam os conhecimentos sobre VIH/Sida, dos cidad��os de Mapuordit Sud��o do Sul; verificar se a frequ��ncia de forma����o sobre VIH/Sida influencia o seu n��vel de conhecimentos. Metodologia: Estudo quantitativo, descritivo-anal��tico e transversal, com 232 clientes do Mary Immaculate de Mapuordit Hospital. Foi utilizado um Question��rio de caracteriza����o sociodemogr��fica e do contexto de forma����o sobre o VIH/Sida, e o HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HVI-K-Q) de Carey, Morrison-Beedy e Johnson (1997). Resultados: Amostra �� maioritariamente masculina (74.6%), com uma m��dia de idade 22,83 (��5.793 anos). A an��lise fatorial confirmat��ria do HIV-K-Q permitiu apurar 5 fatores, cujos valores m��dios mais significativos foram nos fatores preconceitos/medos (m��dia=80.60%), conhecimentos sobre os comportamentos de risco (m��dia=76.58%) e vias de transmiss��o (m��dia=70.36%). Os sudaneses pontuaram maioritariamente com razo��veis conhecimentos sobre a Sida (m��dia=68.08%). As mulheres, os participantes mais velhos, com companheiro(a), mais escolarizados, profissionalmente ativos, a distar do hospital =<20 Km, deslocando-se num ve��culo n��o motorizado e com diagn��stico de VIH relataram mais conhecimentos sobre a Sida. Os participantes com informa����o sobre a preven����o do VIH/Sida e frequ��ncia em workshop na ��rea demonstraram melhores conhecimentos. Revelaram-se preditivas dos conhecimentos acerca da doen��a as habilita����es liter��rias (��=0.32) e o diagn��stico de VIH/Sida (��=0.14) revelou-se preditor dos conhecimentos sobre os comportamentos de risco. Conclus��o: As casu��sticas significativas do VIH/Sida justificam considerar as habilita����es liter��rias e a presen��a de diagn��stico VIH/Sida como vari��veis a avaliar previamente ao planeamento estrat��gico das a����es de educa����o para a preven����o do VIH/Sida no Sud��o do Sul. Palavras-chave: Conhecimentos; VIH/Sida; Sud��o do Sul.

Prestadores de cuidados familiares a doentes com VIH/SIDA: perfil psico-emocional e social

RESUMO: Com o presente estudo pretendemos identificar a sobrecarga resultante do envolvimento familiar com os doentes portadores de VIH/SIDA. Numa breve introdu����o te��rica, procedemos �� revis��o dos conceitos sobrecarga familiar e dos sentimentos/emo����es vivenciados pelos prestadores de cuidados. Metodologia: Estudo do tipo descritivo e explorat��rio, com uma amostra de 51 indiv��duos, cuja finalidade consiste na caracteriza����o dos prestadores de cuidados familiares a doentes com VIH/SIDA. Objectivos: Identificar quem o doente com VIH/SIDA, considera ser a pessoa significativa nos cuidados informais. Caracterizar, do ponto de vista s��cio-demogr��fico, os doentes e os prestadores de cuidados familiares. Identificar sentimentos e emo����es de viv��ncias, que justifiquem o sofrimento emocional e as repercuss��es na sobrecarga familiar nos prestadores de cuidados informais. Instrumentos: Na avalia����o da sobrecarga familiar, utiliz��mos o Question��rio de Problemas Familiares���- FPQ (Family Problemas Questionnaire). Para identifica����o dos Acontecimentos de Vida, adopt��mos a escala de Holmes e Rahe (Life Events); Para identifica����o do estrato social escolhemos escala de Graffar. Finalmente, para a caracteriza����o s��cio-demografica concebemos dois question��rios: um dirigido aos doentes e o outro aos prestadores de cuidados informais. Conclus��es: A sobrecarga da doen��a VIH/SIDA, nos prestadores de cuidados familiares, n��o �� uniforme nas diferentes dimens��es. A dimens��o sobrecarga subjectiva �� superior �� objectiva. O suporte social revela-se fraco, relacionado com as perdas familiares, devidas a morte, pelas rela����es familiares disfuncionais, entre os membros da fam��lia, pela falta de apoio e informa����o dos t��cnicos de sa��de. O sexo feminino �� predominante nos cuidadores. As m��es e esposas s��o o grau de parentesco dominante. Os solteiros s��o o grupo mais afectado pelo VIH/SIDA. Os cuidadores apresentam idade superior �� dos doentes. O estrato social preponderante �� o m��dio baixo e o baixo. Os familiares, apesar da atitude negativa dos doentes perante os cuidadores, mant��m-se envolvidos. Segundo a avalia����o multiaxial proposta pelo DM-IV, constat��mos, ao n��vel do eixo I, sintomatologia cl��nica do tipo das perturba����es depressivas e perturba����es da ansiedade. No eixo IV, os cuidadores evidenciam problemas psicossociais e ambientais, nomeadamente nas categorias problemas com o grupo de apoio prim��rio, problemas relacionados como grupo social, problemas educacionais, problemas de alojamento, problemas econ��micos. Os problemas relacionados com o grupo de apoio prim��rio, s��o os que mais parecem contribuir para os problemas psicossociais e ambientais.---------------------------------------ABSTRACT: This study wants to describe several problems as a result of the family���s relationship with HIV/AIDS patients, like overload. In a brief theoric introduction, we made a small revision about the concepts of family���s overload, and feelings or emotions that have been lived by the people who provide cares to the patients with this chronic disease. Methodology: This is a describing and exploratory study, with a sample with 51 individuals, with the aim to characterize the people inside the family who give care HIV/AIDS patients. Aim: To identify who are the most important people in informal cares from the patient perspective. To characterize, in a social-demographic point of view, patients and the people who take care of them. To identify feelings and emotions that could explain an emotional suffer, and some causes in the family burden. Means: to evaluate the family���s overload we used the Family Problems Questionnaire (FPQ). To identify life events we adopted the Holmes and Rahe scale. To identify the social stratum we used the Graffer scale. Finally to do a socio-economic characterization we did two kinds of questionnaire, the first one was directed for the patients, and the second one was chosen for the people who give care. Conclusions: The HIV/AIDS disease burden on the people who takes familiar cares isn���t uniform on several areas that we studied. The subjective overload it is superior to the objective. The social support is weak and poor, and related with family losses by dead, dysfunctional family relationships, and the lack of support and information by the medical staff. Mothers and wives are the dominant relative degree. And the singles are the major group with HIV/AIDS disease. The people who take care are usually older than the sick. The major social status is low or medium-low. The relatives keep evolved though the negative attitude of the sick. According with the evaluation multiaxial proposed by the DM-IV, in axle 1 we note clinic sintomatologic belonging to the type depressive perturbations and perturbations of the anxiety. Regarding with axle IV the caretakers show up psycho-social and environmental problems, namely on the categories: problems with the primary support group and problems related as social group, educational problems, accommodation problems and.

Monitoriza����o das concentra����es plasm��ticas de Efavirenz: crit��rios de aplicabilidade �� pr��tica cl��nica e efeitos do f��rmaco a longo termo

Resumo O objectivo geral deste trabalho foi contribuir para optimizar a terap��utica anti-retroviral e o seu impacto na qualidade de vida do indiv��duo infectado pelo v��rus da imunodefici��ncia humana. Pretendia-se definir se o an��logo n��o-nucle��sido inibidor da transcriptase reversa do v��rus da imunodefici��ncia humana, efavirenz, cumpria os requisitos para ser monitorizado na pr��tica cl��nica, estabelecer as condi����es para a sua eventual monitoriza����o e, simultaneamente, investigar outras ac����es farmacodin��micas do efavirenz em terap��uticas prolongadas. Os crit��rios que fundamentam a indica����o da monitoriza����o das concentra����es plasm��ticas de f��rmacos, em geral, incluem: correla����o entre a concentra����o do f��rmaco e a efic��cia/toxicidade; variabilidade inter-individual elevada; variabilidade intra-individual e janela terap��utica reduzidas e ainda a elevada probabilidade de interac����es medicamentosas. A correla����o entre concentra����o plasm��tica de efavirenz e efic��cia/toxicidade era conhecida e o facto de o efavirenz ser substrato, indutor e inibidor do sistema enzim��tico citocromo P450 e ser utilizado em terap��uticas cr��nicas e nunca em monoterapia, constitu��am fortes argumentos para a aplica����o da monitoriza����o terap��utica ao efavirenz. O presente trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento de outros crit��rios, nomeadamente, a variabilidade nas concentra����es plasm��ticas deste f��rmaco, entre indiv��duos e no mesmo indiv��duo, e permitiu definir diferentes aspectos para a pr��tica da monitoriza����o terap��utica deste f��rmaco, entre eles, o volume de plasma necess��rio, o par��metro farmacocin��tico a avaliar e a periodicidade das quantifica����es. Para se atingirem os objectivos definidos foi necess��rio, em primeiro lugar, proceder �� instala����o e valida����o de um m��todo de quantifica����o de concentra����es de efavirenz, em plasma de indiv��duos infectados pelo v��rus da imunodefici��ncia humana: ficou dispon��vel no Laborat��rio de Farmacologia da Faculdade de Ci��ncias M��dicas, um m��todo que permite a monitoriza����o das concentra����es plasm��ticas de nove f��rmacos anti-retrovirais (nevirapina, indinavir, amprenavir, atazanavir, ritonavir, efavirenz, lopinavir, saquinavir e nelfinavir). O m��todo desenvolvido est�� presentemente a ser utilizado na monitoriza����o terap��utica destes f��rmacos e em estudos Farmacol��gicos. Esta quantifica����o �� realizada numa ��nica corrida anal��tica de cromatografia l��quida de elevada efici��ncia, a partir de 0,4 mL de plasma de cada indiv��duo e a sua qualidade �� avaliada, bianualmente, por uma entidade externa. Posteriormente, com o objectivo de as comparar, procurou-se conhecer a variabilidade entre indiv��duos e intra-individual das concentra����es lasm��ticas do f��rmaco e concluiu-se que a variabilidade entre indiv��duos �� superior �� intra-individual, o que suporta a monitoriza����o das suas concentra����es. Uma vez encontrada uma variabilidade inter-individual elevada, surgiu um outro objectivo espec��fico, que consistiu na identifica����o de poss��veis factores a justificassem. Na presente disserta����o foi mostrado que o sexo, idade, peso e etnia n��o justificam por si s�� esta varia����o, n��o sendo poss��vel o ajuste de dose com base nestas vari��veis. Esta conclus��o constitui um factor adicional que refor��a que a toma da dose recomendada de efavirenz poder�� n��o ser apropriada para todos os indiv��duos. A co-infec����o pelos v��rus da hepatite B e/ou C �� comum nesta popula����o e poderia ser um dos factores implicados nesta variabilidade farmacocin��tica. A realiza����o do presente trabalho permitiu sugerir que a presen��a desta co-infec����o per se n��o contribui para o aumento das concentra����es plasm��ticas do f��rmaco; que, em indiv��duos co-infectados com fun����o hep��tica normal, n��o h�� um risco acrescido de toxicidade dependente da concentra����o e que as indica����es para a monitoriza����o terap��utica de efavirenz em indiv��duos co-infectados, com fun����o hep��tica normal, s��o semelhantes aquelas descritas para indiv��duos mono-infectados pelo v��rus da imunodefici��ncia humana. Um outro objectivo espec��fico deste trabalho surgiu quando foi descrito que os efeitos dos an��logos n��o-nucle��sidos inibidores da transcriptase reversa no perfil de l��pidos e lipoprote��nas dos indiv��duos pareciam diferir dos efeitos descritos para os inibidores de protease, que eram frequentemente associados a deslipid��mia. Os an��logos n��o-nucle��sidos inibidores da transcriptase reversa tinham sido associados a aumentos nos n��veis de colesterol associado ��s lipoprote��nas de elevada densidade. Esta observa����o, al��m de n��o ser consensual, podia ser imputada ao decr��scimo na carga viral dos indiv��duos em terap��utica e correspondia a estudos observacionais de curta-dura����o. Estes factos estimularam a realiza����o de uma an��lise prospectiva dos valores da concentra����o de l��pidos e lipoprote��nas em doentes medicados com efavirenz e �� avalia����o da sua eventual rela����o com a concentra����o deste nti-retroviral, a curto e a longo-termo. Pela primeira vez, foi demonstrado que o efeito do efavirenz no colesterol associado ��s lipoprote��nas de elevada densidade permaneceu durante 36 meses, que o aumento �� dependente do valor basal destas lipoprote��nas e da concentra����o plasm��tica do f��rmaco. Mostrou-se tamb��m que, em associa����o a este aumento quantitativo, o efavirenz estava associado a um aumento qualitativo, com uma melhoria da fun����o antioxidante destas lipoprote��nas, avaliada pela actividade do enzima paraoxonase-1. Em resumo, os diferentes estudos inclu��dos na presente disserta����o t��m como conclus��o geral que �� poss��vel optimizar a resposta �� terap��utica com efavirenz atrav��s da monitoriza����o das suas concentra����es plasm��ticas. A realiza����o deste trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento cient��fico atrav��s: 1. Da instala����o e valida����o de um m��todo de quantifica����o de concentra����es de an��logos n��o-nucle��sidos inibidores da transcriptase reversa e inibidores da protease em plasma de indiv��duos infectados pelo v��rus da imunodefici��ncia humana. 2. Do estudo da variabilidade inter e intra-individual nas concentra����es plasm��ticas de efavirenz. A superioridade da variabilidade inter-individual relativamente �� associada ao mesmo indiv��duo comprova a import��ncia de monitorizar as concentra����es plasm��ticas deste f��rmaco. 3. Da defini����o de procedimentos operativos para a monitoriza����o terap��utica do efavirenz em geral e numa popula����o particular: os indiv��duos co-infectados pelos v��rus da hepatite B e/ou C com fun����o hep��tica normal. 4. Da descoberta de ac����es farmacodin��micas do efavirenz, a longo prazo, nomeadamente o efeito ben��fico (quantitativo e qualitativo) no colesterol associado ��s lipoprote��nas de elevada densidade. Este efeito �� mantido durante tr��s anos e �� dependente da concentra����o plasm��tica do f��rmaco, o que salienta a import��ncia de monitorizar as suas concentra����es.

PREVALENCE OF HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE 2 AND RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS INFECTION IN WOMEN IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HVS-2) is the most prevalent infection worldwide. It is a cofactor in the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV). This study evaluated the prevalence of HSV-2, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and associated factors in patients treated at the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG) and Basic Health Units (BHU) in Rio Grande, Brazil. The observed prevalence of HSV-2 was 15.6%. Among the 302 women studied, 158 had received assistance in BHU and 144 were treated at FURG. The prevalence of HSV-2 in these groups was 10.8% and 20.8%, respectively, RR 1.9 and p = 0.012. Knowledge about the Pap smear, and the presence of lesions showed no association with HSV-2 infection. Multivariate analysis showed that the variable that most influenced the risk of HSV-2 infection was the presence of HIV infection, with a relative risk of 1.9 and p = 0.04. Discussion: Genital ulcers are an important entry point for HIV, and condom use is an important strategy to reduce transmission of HIV and HSV-2.

Determinants of hepatitis A vaccine immunity in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected children living in Switzerland.

Vaccination in HIV-infected children is often less effective than in healthy children. The goal of this study was to assess vaccine responses to hepatitis A virus (HAV) in HIV-infected children. Children of the Swiss Mother and Child HIV Cohort Study (MoCHiV) were enrolled prospectively. Recommendations for initial, catch-up, and additional HAV immunizations were based upon baseline antibody concentrations and vaccine history. HAV IgG was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a protective cutoff value defined as &#8805;10 mIU/ml. Eighty-seven patients were included (median age, 11 years; range, 3.4 to 21.2 years). Forty-two patients were seropositive (48.3%) for HAV. Among 45 (51.7%) seronegative patients, 36 had not received any HAV vaccine dose and were considered na��ve. Vaccine responses were assessed after the first dose in 29/35 na��ve patients and after the second dose in 33/39 children (25 initially na��ve patients, 4 seronegative patients, and 4 seropositive patients that had already received 1 dose of vaccine). Seroconversion was 86% after 1 dose and 97% after 2 doses, with a geometric mean concentration of 962 mIU/ml after the second dose. A baseline CD4(+) T cell count below 750 cells/&#956;l significantly reduced the post-2nd-dose response (P = 0.005). Despite a high rate of seroconversion, patients with CD4(+) T cell counts of <750/&#956;l had lower anti-HAV antibody concentrations. This may translate into a shorter protection time. Hence, monitoring humoral immunity may be necessary to provide supplementary doses as needed.

Withdrawal, "serosorting" and "strategic positioning": use of risk reduction strategies with casual sex partners in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Switzerland, 2007

Introduction: 1) Withdrawal before ejaculation, "serosorting" (to choose a partner of same serostatus) and "strategic positioning" (only insertive vs. only receptive role in anal sex according to serostatus) are known to be used by MSM as alternatives to condom use. 2) Despite their questionable levels of effectiveness they are collectively labelled as "risk reduction strategies" (RRS). Objectives: The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and factors related to RRS in men who report unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with occasional partners in the last 12 months. Methods: 1) In 2007, a module on RRS was included in a repeated national survey conducted among readers of gay newspapers, members of gay organizations and visitors of gay websites (N=2953). 2) Using an anonymous self-completed questionnaire, participants were asked whether, with the aim of avoiding HIV infection, RRS were used with occasional partners. Analysis: 1) Prevalences were calculated in participants who reported UAI with occasional partners in the last 12 months (n=416). 2) A logistic regression was performed, using "at least one RRS" as dependent variable. Number of partners in the last 12 months, HIV-status and usual socio-demographic characteristics were used as independent factors. Result : 1) 70% (292/416) of the participants reporting UAI used at least one RRS when they had unprotected sex with casual partners in the last 12 months (Table 1). 2) Withrawal before ejaculation was the most frequently reported strategy, followed by serosorting and strategic positioning (Table 1). 3) Participants who reported at least one RRS were more likely to be over 30 years and to belong to a gay organisation. HIV-positive and non-tested participants were less likely to report RRS than HIV-negative participants (Table 2). Conclusions: 1) The majority of MSM who reported UAI in the last 12 months tried to reduce risk of HIV transmission by using specific strategies (withdrawal, serosorting, strategic positioning). It is not known, however, to what extent the use of these strategies was systematic. 2) It is necessary to provide MSM with balanced information on these strategies and their respective level of effectiveness. 3) It is important to monitor the use of RRS in HIV behavioural surveillance surveys in MSM.