HIV-1 and HIV-2 in Spain [letter]

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is common in central Africa but very few cases have been identified in west Africa where HIV-2 is common. HIV-1 and HIV-2 combined infection has been found among drug abusers in Spain. Recently HIV-2 infection was isolated among west African immigrants living in Barcelona. 604 such African and north African immigrants were treated between 1984-July 1991 at the dermatological clinic of a Barcelona general hospital. Serum samples were screened by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Western blot 1-2 and Pepti-Lav for HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection incidence. All were blacks most of them from Gambia except for 45 Moroccans. 25 were females the rest were males aged 16-42 years having lived in Spain for 4 years. Heterosexual intercourse with prostitutes was the source of infection for HIV-1. 43 (7%) were HIV-1 positive 10 (2.1%) of 462 patients were positive for HIV-2. In 1 case concomitant HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection was detected. The Moroccans had neither of these infections. The rate of infection with HIV-1 increased from zero in 1988 to 10% by 1991. The most likely source of infections was prostitutes in Spain. 5 patients eventually developed AIDS and 3 of them died. 7 other patients had opportunistic infections and/or AIDS related complex (ARC). No one with the HIV-2 infection had AIDS but they had minor immunological abnormalities.