Title: [Immunologic profile of HIV-2 seropositive African individuals (follow-up)]

POPLINE Document Number: 076067

Author(s):

Pinto AS
Ferreira WF
Costa C
Silva AP
Alvarez EP
Sousa RA
Mansinho K
Champalimaud JL
Araujo C
Dias F

Source citation:

Acta Medica Portuguesa, 1991 Dec;4 Suppl 1:64S-66S.

Abstract:

In 1986, a total of 4372 persons were included in an HIV-2 seroepidemiological study covering the whole of Guinea-Bissau. An 8.5% incidence of HIV-2 infection was revealed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed by Western Blot and/or RIPA. Only 4 cases of HIV-1 seropositivity were found. Annual follow-up of 78 seropositive (e died of AIDS) and 320 seronegative individuals in 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991 was initiated. In the present investigation, a total of 70 individuals were included: 19 were seropositive (6 with double reactivity) and 51 were seronegative. During this period there were 3 seroconversion cases among seronegative persons, and the appearance of double reactivity in 3 previously HIV-2 positive cases. The reexamination of sera before seroconversion indicated reactivity to the core proteins and in 3 cases to GP-160 or GP-140 surface glycoproteins. The average values of immunoglobulins increased, but the beta-2 microglobulin, and cytomegalovirus antibodies (CMV) did not differ in the sera of 1250 decreased patients compared with seronegative persons. In seropositives, a progressive diminution of the CD4 lymphocyte values and of the T4/T8 (CD4/CD8) ratio was observed which was much more evident in HIV-2 monoreactive patients than in double reactive patients. The interpretation of HIV-1 and HIV-2 double reactivity whether the result of a double infection or of an intermediate variant of the virus between HIV-1 and HIV-2 has not been reconciled with these results. These findings indicate that the variants responsible for double reactivity are less pathogenic, less adapted to the human host, and less developed phylogenetically.

Keywords:

Guinea-Bissau
Follow-Up Studies
HIV Infections
AIDS
HIV Testing
Immunoglobulin Alterations
Cytologic Effects
Incidence
Africa, Western
Africa, Sub Saharan
Africa
Developing Countries
Studies
Research Methodology
Viral Diseases
Diseases
Laboratory Examinations and Diagnoses
Examinations and Diagnoses
Hematological Effects
Hemic System
Physiology
Biology
Measurement