title: Improving HIV-2 detection by a combination of serological and nucleic acid amplification test assays.
abstract: The ability to detect HIV-2 and to discriminate between HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections was evaluated in 46 serum samples from Guinea-Bissau (GB) and Guinea-Conakry (GC) using serological tests and commercial (HIV-1) and in-house (HIV-2) real-time PCR assays. Samples were first identified as HIV-2 positive by Genie I/II assay in GB and GC. HIV positivity was detected in 44 of 46 samples by all screening and confirmatory assays. A diagnostic strategy based on Inno-LIA and HIV-1/2 RNA detection assays allowed accurate discrimination between HIV-1 and HIV-2 in 84% of single infections and confirmed 32% of double infections. In samples with double reactivity in the Inno-LIA test and no detection of both genomes, cross-reactivity likely hampered the identification of true double infections. In conclusion, the implementation of a diagnostic strategy, based on multiple specific serological tests and highly sensitive quantitative PCR assays, is recommended to ensure accurate HIV-2 diagnosis and appropriate therapy for individuals from areas in which the virus is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. annarita.ciccaglione@iss.it
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ciccaglione
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miceli
authors.forename: Giulio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pisani
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruni
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iudicone
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Costantino
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Equestre
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tritarelli
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marcantonio
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tataseo
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Marazzi
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ceffa
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paturzo
authors.forename: Anna Maria Doro
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Altan
authors.forename: Massimo Magnano
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: San Lio
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mancinelli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ciccozzi
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lo Presti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rezza
authors.forename: Leonardo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palombi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006169:Guinea-Bissau; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015483:HIV Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral