HIV-2 Infection and HIV-1/HIV-2 Dual Reactivity in Patients With and Without AIDS-Related Symptoms in Gabon

A study conducted in 1996-97 at the Foundation Jeanne Ebori Hospital in Libreville Gabon identified an unexpectedly high prevalence of patients with HIV-2 and dual HIV-1/HIV-2 infection. During the 10-month study period 147 (14.3%) of 1029 serum samples tested were found to be HIV-positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Use of synthetic peptides specific for the gp41 and the gp120 of HIV-1 and the gp36 of HIV-2 indicated that 141 (96%) of infected sera were exclusively HIV-1 4 were exclusively HIV-2 and 2 were positive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. 2 of the 6 patients infected with HIV-2 or both HIV-1 and HIV-2 were immigrants from West Africa (Mali and Nigeria). 3 of the patients with HIV-2 infection were asymptomatic. The predominant HIV risk factor was heterosexual activity. These findings suggest the possibility of rare cases of HIV-1 and HIV-2 co-infections recombinant HIV-1 and HIV-2 strains and peculiar HIV-2 variants from Central Africa. More widespread entry of HIV-2 infection into Central Africa from Gabon could have major public health implications.