LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Instituto Evandro Chagas, FSESP, Av. Almirante Barroso, 492, CP 1128, 66.050, Belém, Pará, Brasil

We have recently tested for the presence of HIV-antibody 250 serum samples collected in 1983. during a measles epidemic among gold mi ners encamped In the "Serra Pelada". Pará State. north Brazil: at the time the population was all male, with ages ranging from 17 - 38 years. Most of the men had come from other parts of Brazil, including the southeastern region - where the first cases of AIDS in this country were registered, in 1982*. There was a high rate of both homosexuality and prostitution in and around the camp.

All the serum specimens proved negative for HIV antibody, using the Wellcozyme "kit" - a test which is basically an enzyme linked immunosorbent competitive assay¹.

In view of the fact that a high proportion of the miners were from southeast regions, we feel that the total absence of HIV antibody in this promiscuous population indicates that AIDS was just establishing itself in Brazil in 1983.

Other surveys for HIV-antibody in the same and additional mining-camps in the Amazon Region have been planned. They may show a very different epidemiological picture now. following the escalating incidence of AIDS in Brazil³ since that time. Apart from the high rate of homosexuallty and prostitution in such communities, there is an added hazard in the use of nondisposable syringes for administering medicines (even antimalarial drugs) among the miners.

Finally, in an area normally of low population and, therefore, low dissemination of AIDS, these mining camps (and other all-male work-camps) will undoubtedly serve as "distribution centres" for AIDS in Amazonia. Brazil.

Rccebido para publicação em 16/11/1988

Publication Dates