title: Clinical, hematologic, and immunologic cross-sectional evaluation of individuals exposed to human immunodeficiency virus type-2 (HIV-2).
abstract: We studied the clinical status and certain hematologic and immunologic parameters in healthy prostitutes from Dakar, Senegal who were seropositive for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type-2 (HIV-2). Generalized lymphadenopathy and clinical signs or symptoms similar to those which are seen with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection were not present. Comparison to seronegative prostitutes and minor surgery control patients were made and significant elevations were seen in T8 lymphocytes (p = .03), IgG (p = .0001), and beta 2-microglobulin (p = .03). The mean T4 lymphocyte count in seropositive prostitutes was lower than in seronegative prostitutes (757 vs. 1179, p = .15), but this difference was not statistically significant and appeared to be correlated with age. No significant differences were noted between the seronegative and seropositive prostitutes in lymphocyte stimulation studies to certain mitogens. Antilymphocyte antibodies above background were not present in either population. We conclude that HIV-2 is a sexually transmitted agent that produces immunologic alterations consistent with a persistent viral infection. HIV-2 seropositive prostitutes studied to date do not show clinical signs of immune suppression, as has been described with HIV-1 infection. The pathogenic potential of HIV-2 appears to differ from that of HIV-1, the etiologic agent of the AIDS pandemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Marlink
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricard
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: M'Boup
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kanki
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Romet-Lemonne
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: N'Doye
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Diop
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV / Q000145:classification*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D012675:Senegal; D011477:Sex Work; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification