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Seroprevalence of HIV-2 infection in Greece (Crete)

V Georgoulias1, A Agelakis, P Fountouli

  • 1AIDS Reference Center of Crete, Venizelion Hospital, Greece.

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
|January 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

This study evaluated Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) seroprevalence in blood donors and individuals seeking HIV testing. Confirmed HIV-2 infections were rare, with most repeatedly positive results being indeterminate or negative upon further testing.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 2 (HIV-2) is a distinct viral strain with a different epidemiological profile than HIV type 1 (HIV-1).
  • Understanding HIV-2 seroprevalence is crucial for blood safety and public health surveillance, particularly in diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the seroprevalence of HIV-2 among blood donors and individuals undergoing HIV testing.
  • To characterize the reactivity patterns of sera tested for HIV-2 using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and Western blot.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of 20,407 blood donors, 100 homosexual/bisexual individuals, and 7,020 heterosexual individuals using EIA for HIV-2 antibodies.
  • Confirmation of repeatedly positive sera using Western blot analysis.
  • Further characterization of antibody reactivity using synthetic peptides homologous to HIV-2 gp36 and gp41 antigens.

Main Results:

  • Sixty-seven sera showed repeated positivity for HIV-2 antibodies.
  • Western blot analysis confirmed HIV-2 infection in only four cases.
  • Twenty-five sera exhibited indeterminate patterns, and 38 were negative; none cross-reacted with HIV-1 antigens.

Conclusions:

  • The seroprevalence of confirmed HIV-2 infection is low in the studied populations.
  • Indeterminate Western blot results are common in HIV-2 testing and require careful interpretation.
  • Further investigation into the specific peptide reactivity can aid in understanding immune responses to HIV-2.

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