[Epidemiologic distribution of HIV2 human immunodeficiency virus infection in sub-Saharan Africa]

This text presents the results of an analysis of the distribution and evolution of the HIV2 infection in Africa South of Sahara. The serological data collected in selected groups of the population suggest that the virus is very rare in the East and the South of the continent, except in Mozambic where it is found everywhere, but on a low level. The infection is also rarely depisted in West-Central Africa; however an epidemic could affect the North of angola. HIV2 is probably an old host of some West African collectivities. Now the infection is often sporadic in the general population except in a little regional foci in Guinea-Bissau. On the contrary, high prevalences are observed in many groups of prostitutes. The epidemiological situation has been stable since 1985-86. At least in West Africa, the only new fact of the recent past could be that the infection became apparent to the physicians.