Improving HIV-2 detection by a combination of serological and nucleic acid amplification test assays.
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.
Ciccaglione
Anna Rita
AR
Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-Mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Rome, Italy. annarita.ciccaglione@iss.it
Miceli
Michela
M
Pisani
Giulio
G
Bruni
Roberto
R
Iudicone
Paola
P
Costantino
Angela
A
Equestre
Michele
M
Tritarelli
Elena
E
Marcantonio
Cinzia
C
Tataseo
Paola
P
Marazzi
Maria Cristina
MC
Ceffa
Susanna
S
Paturzo
Giovanna
G
Altan
Anna Maria Doro
AM
San Lio
Massimo Magnano
MM
Mancinelli
Sandro
S
Ciccozzi
Massimo
M
Lo Presti
Alessandra
A
Rezza
Giovanni
G
Palombi
Leonardo
L
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
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral