HIV-2 prevalence in Uttar Pradesh

Serum samples collected since 1989 with various patterns of reactivity for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, on the basis of screening ELISA and confirmatory Western blot (WB) test, were subjected to the detection of HIV-2 infection based on screening dot immunoassay and confirmatory WB for HIV-2. Significant prevalence of HIV-2 infection was (37.03%) among sera reactive for HIV-1 by ELISA but indeterminate by Western blot, compared with sera reactive for HIV-1 by ELISA and WB (3.29%) or negative by WB (2.63%). Out of 16 HIV-2 positive sera, 5 (31.25%) showed evidence of concomitant HIV-1 infection. This study demonstrates evidence of HIV-2 infection as early as 1989, earlier than reported so far from India. PIP: HIV-2 shares many properties with HIV-1 in terms of morphology and tropism for CD4 cells, but it differs at the molecular, clinical, and epidemiological levels. Most cases of HIV-2 infection have been reported in West Africa, with sporadic cases in Europe and the US. Serological evidence of HIV-2 infection in India was detected in 1990 in Bombay and reported from Delhi, Maharashtra state, southern states, and Visakhapatnam. 34,875 sera from individuals in Uttar Pradesh at risk for HIV infection were screened for the presence of HIV antibodies between 1989 and 1994. All ELISA positive sera and randomly selected 150 ELISA non-reactive control sera were retested for the presence of HIV-2 based upon screening dot immunoassay and confirmatory Western blot (WB). Antibodies to HIV-2 were detected in 37.03% of sera reactive for HIV-1 infection with ELISA but indeterminate with WB, 3.29% in sera reactive by both tests, and 2.63% in sera reactive to ELISA but negative in WB. 5 of 16 HIV-2 positive sera showed evidence of concomitant HIV-1 infection. This study therefore demonstrates evidence of HIV-2 infection in India as early as 1989