Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 infections in Austria.
BACKGROUND
The first case of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) seropositivity in Austria was confirmed in 1993 in a dually human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)- and HIV-2-infected patient from Ghana, who died in 2001. Before this investigation, no further HIV-2 infection was published.


METHODS
The aim of this study was to describe HIV-2 epidemiology in Austria, using serological and molecular techniques, and to perform a sequence analysis of the circulating viral strains.


RESULTS
Six additional cases of HIV-2 were identified from 2000 to 2009. All patients originated from high-prevalence areas. In one patient, the HIV-2 infection was revealed 11 years after initial HIV-1 diagnosis, and further analysis confirmed a dual infection.


CONCLUSIONS
The HIV-2 epidemic has its epicentre in West Africa, but sociocultural issues, especially migration, are contributing to the low but continuous worldwide spread of HIV-2. Diagnosis of HIV-2 implies a different therapeutical management to avoid treatment failure and clinical progression. Differential diagnosis of HIV-1 and HIV-2 is complicated due to antibody cross-reactivity, and paradoxical findings (e.g. declining CD4 cell count despite HIV-1 suppression) may require careful reassessment, especially in patients from endemic countries.
Department of Internal Medicine III with Hematology, Medical Oncology, Hemostaseology, Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, Oncologic Center, Laboratory for Immunological and Molecular Cancer Research, Paracelsus Medical University Hospital Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstrasse 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria, n.taylor@salk.at.
Ninon
N
Taylor
Jan Marco
JM
Kern
Wolfgang
W
Prammer
Alois
A
Lang
Bernhard
B
Haas
Martin
M
Gisinger
Robert
R
Zangerle
Alexander
A
Egle
Richard
R
Greil
Hannes
H
Oberkofler
Josef
J
Eberle
D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005714:Gambia; D005869:Ghana; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D015498:HIV-2 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors