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
Soriano, V.; Gutiérrez, M.; Tuset, C.; Martínez-Zapico, R.; Ortiz de Lejarazu, R.; Aguilera, A.; Codina, G.; González, A.; Ulloa, F.; Leal, M.
Medicina Clinica 100(14): 531-535
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-7753 PMID: 8469039 Document Number: 421538
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. 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). 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. 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.