Resistant HIV
strain found in Seattle

Four men in the Seattle area have tested positive for similar HIV strains that are highly resistant to drugs. The results, released by Seattle and King County Public Health, have prompted officials to examine sexual partners who may also have acquired the resistant strain.

The four men who have been identified said they all have a history with crystal meth and have had several unprotected sexual encounters.

"We are still working to learn more about these individuals and the virus they have contracted," interim director of the area's public health office, Dorothy Teeter, said in a press release. "We are concerned for these individuals and their partners and are continuing our investigation and heightening our monitoring of HIV drug resistance in our area."

Since 2000, the office has found 12 other people with drug-resistant cases of HIV. The other cases have not been as resistant as the current case of four men. One man was found to carry the strain in 2005, while the other three tested positive last year. (The Advocate)