[A multicenter study of infection with human immunodeficiency virus type-2 (HIV-2) in Spain (1991). The Spanish Group for the Study of HIV-2].
BACKGROUND
To January 1991 thirteen cases of HIV-2 infection had been reported in Spain. Paradoxically, neighboring countries, i.e. France and Portugal, have reported more than one thousand cases, and are the most HIV-2 prevalent areas outside West Africa. We report the results of a prospective, nationwide study on the prevalence of HIV-2 infection conducted in Spain in 1991. In addition, an evaluation of testing methodologies is made.


METHODS
Sera collected from 8,073 individuals at high-risk for HIV infection were screened by a combined HIV-1 plus HIV-2 ELISA. Reactive samples were further evaluated by three tests, as HIV-1 Western blot (WB), HIV-2 specific WB, and a synthetic peptide assay immuno-dot (Pepti-lav, Pasteur).


RESULTS
Fifteen (0.18%) individuals met criteria of HIV-2 infection in both specific WB and SPA. Four (27%) of them showed reactivity to both HIV-1 and HIV-2, and the dual infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 2 out of 3 available samples. The SPA showed higher sensitivity and specificity than WB in the diagnosis and distinction of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections.


CONCLUSIONS
To January 1992, 28 cases of HIV-2 infection have been described in Spain. All but two were African immigrants. The first cases of HIV-1 plus HIV-2 coinfection have been identified. In HIV high-risk populations, SPA may provide an excellent alternative to WB to confirm ELISA reactive samples.
Soriano
V
V
Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid.
Gutiérrez
M
M
Tuset
C
C
Martínez-Zapico
R
R
Ortiz de Lejarazu
R
R
Aguilera
A
A
Codina
G
G
González
A
A
Ulloa
F
F
Leal
M
M
D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000276:immunology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D006178:Romani People; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D015483:HIV Antibodies
Estudio multicéntrico de la infección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana tipo 2 (VIH-2) en España (1991). Grupo Español para el Estudio del VIH-2.