Reevaluation of HIV transmission modes: A systematic analysis

Background: Before the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy, data on the age-specific distribution of AIDS diagnoses and deaths due to HIV/AIDS indicated that HIV transmission was high or highest among children aged a few to 14 in Africa, Asia, and parts of Southern Europe/Latin America. These data contradict the theory of sexual transmission. Similarly, there are many contradictions between the current transmission theory and other epidemiological data. Currently, there are no animal research data that support any existing transmission theories. Methods: The present study compares two existing transmission theories by systematically analyzing high-risk populations, infection rates between regions with high and low mosquito abundance in each country globally, and progress in HIV preventive practices. Results: A wide range of epidemiological data and evidence in preventive practices can consistently be explained by the theory of mosquito transmission, but not by the sexual transmission theory. Conclusion: These solid and consistent data strongly indicate that mistakes may have occurred in our understanding of HIV transmission, and further research is urgently needed.