HIV-2 Infection in high-risk individuals in Spain

Abstract HIV-2 antibodies were investigated in serum from 902 high-risk individuals from Spain using an enzyme immunoassay, Western blot (WB) and a synthetic peptide assay (Pepti-lav). Seven (4%) out of 184 West African immigrants and 2 (0.6%) out of 386 drug abusers were HIV-2 positive. Both drug abusers showing HIV-2 reactivity were also reactive for HIV-1 antibody, suggesting co-infection. Antibodies to HIV-2 were not recognized in 246 prostitutes, and 86 homo/bisexual men. Thus, HIV-2 is not widespread in Spain among high-risk individuals and, to date, HIV-2 infection seems to be restricted to immigrants from endemic areas. In this study, the diagnosis and discrimination between HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody were more efficiently achieved using synthetic peptide assays than using WB. The new WHO criteria for interpreting WB results showed an unacceptable number of indeterminate WB results compared to previous CDC and WHO criteria.