title: Reduced rate of disease development after HIV-2 infection as compared to HIV-1.
abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus type-2 (HIV-2) is a close relative of the prototype acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus, HIV-1. HIV-2 is biologically similar to HIV-1, but information is lacking concerning clinical outcomes of HIV-2-infected individuals. From 1985 to 1993, a prospective clinical study was conducted in women with HIV-2 and HIV-1 infection to determine and compare rates of disease development. HIV-1-infected women had a 67% probability of AIDS-free survival 5 years after seroconversion in contrast with 100% for HIV-2-infected women. In addition to having significantly less HIV-related disease outcome in HIV-2 enrollees compared to HIV-1 enrollees, the rate of developing abnormal CD4+ lymphocyte counts with HIV-2 infection was also significantly reduced. This natural history study demonstrates that HIV-2 has a reduced virulence compared to HIV-1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marlink
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanki
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thior
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Travers
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eisen
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Siby
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Traore
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dia
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Gueye
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D015994:Incidence; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D014774:Virulence