title: Slower heterosexual spread of HIV-2 than HIV-1.
abstract: Because of the similar virological properties of HIV types 1 and 2, HIV-2 was assumed to be as infectious and capable of inducing AIDS as HIV-1. Seroepidemiological studies have shown significant rates of HIV-2 infection in West Africa, and surveys from other regions of the world indicate that the spread of HIV-2 infection continues. However the pathogenic potential of HIV-2 is considered to be lower than that of HIV-1. It is therefore important to understand the transmission properties of HIV-2 and its contribution to the AIDS pandemic. Since 1985, we have prospectively studied 1452 registered female prostitutes in Dakar, Senegal, with sequential evaluation of their antibody status to HIV-1 and HIV-2. During the study the overall incidence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 was the same (1.11 per 100 person-years of observation [pyo]). However, the annual incidence of HIV-1 increased substantially: there was a 1.4-fold increased risk per year and thus a 12-fold increase in risk over the entire study period. The incidence of HIV-2 remained stable, despite higher HIV-2 prevalence. In our population the heterosexual spread of HIV-2 is significantly slower than that of HIV-1, which strongly suggests differences in the viruses' infectivity potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kanki
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Travers
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MBoup
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Marlink
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gueye-NDiaye
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Siby
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thior
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Avila
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Sankalé
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015497:HIV-1; D015498:HIV-2; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012675:Senegal; D011477:Sex Work; D013997:Time Factors