Comparative analysis of HIV-1 and HIV-2 indeterminate western blot patterns

A comparison of HIV-1 and HIV-2 indeterminate Western blot patterns of Ghanaian sera collected between 1989 and 1990 was made. Antibodies to group specific antigen (GAG) gene products were most frequently detected both HIV-1 and HIV-2 indeterminate sera. HIV-2 GAG gene product p26 was shown to be a non-specific indicator of infection. Antibody to gp120, and envelope gene product of HIV-1 never occurred in indeterminate sera whereas antibodies to all the envelope gene products of HIV-2 were detected in indeterminate sera.