Isolation of a new HIV-2 group in the US.
Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) emerged following cross-species transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) from sooty mangabeys to humans several decades ago. The epidemic groups of HIV-2 have been established in the human population for at least 50 years. However, it is likely that new divergent SIVs can infect humans and lead to new outbreaks. We report the isolation of a new strain of HIV-2, HIV2-NWK08F, from an immunodeficient Sierra Leone immigrant. Health care providers in Sierra Leone and elsewhere need to be alerted that a subtype of HIV-2, which is not detected by PCR for epidemic HIV-2 strains, exists and can lead to immunosuppression.
Smith
Stephen M
SM
Division of Infectious Diseases, Saint Michael's Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA. ssmith1824@aol.com
Christian
Deanna
D
de Lame
Valéry
V
Shah
Urvi
U
Austin
Louise
L
Gautam
Rajeev
R
Gautam
Aarti
A
Apetrei
Cristian
C
Marx
Preston A
PA
D000368:Aged; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000821:virology*; D015750:Genes, gag; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010802:Phylogeny; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics; D014481:United States