[7 new cases of HIV-2 infection recognized in Madrid in 1996 and 1997]

The infection with human immunodeficiency virus type-2 (HIV-2) is endemic in Western Africa, where it is responsible for many of AIDS cases. In Spain, 72 cases with HIV-2 until December 1997 had been reported, mainly in African immigrants. Seven of these cases (4 males and 3 females) were identified during 1996 and 1997. Five came from Western Africa and other two were Spanish, one from Alicant and the other from Vigo. Only one out of the seven patients presented clinical manifestations (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia); the remaining patients were asymptomatic. Viral isolates from six of these patients were genetically characterized: three were subtype A, whereas those from Equatorial Guinea patients corresponded to HIV-2 subtype B.