Two hundred serum samples were tested to detect the presence of HIV-2 infection in Maharashtra state. The serum samples were derived from various groups including those with high risk behaviour for HIV infection. All samples were tested by three combined HIV-1 and HIV-2 ELISA kits. The reactivity was confirmed by LiaTek HIV 1+2 immunoblot. The study confirmed that HIV-2 infection exists in Maharashtra, as 14 samples showed antibodies to HIV-2 and 14 showed antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Antibodies to HIV-2 or HIV-1 and HIV-2 were detected mainly in persons with high risk behaviour.
PIP: 200 sera stored after collection in 1988-1990 in Maharashtra state, India, were tested for HIV-1 and HIV-2 with standard kits. The sera were from diverse groups including prostitutes, blood donors, STD patients, foreigners, and renal transplant patients. The tests were recombinant HIV-1 and HIV-2 EIA (Abbott), Vironostika HIV mixt (Organon Teknika, Holland) and Genie HIV-1/HIV-2 rapid EIA (Genetic Systems, USA). Those testing positive were confirmed by an immunoblot test capable of distinguishing HIV-2 from HIV-1, LiaTeK HIV-1+2 Line immunoassay (Organon Teknika, Holland). 128 sera were positive for HIV-1 by Western Blot, and 40 that were positive for ELISA but negative by Western Blot. There were 14 sera positive for HIV-2, and 14 positive for both HIV-1 and HIV-2. 14 sera that were originally indeterminate, now tested positive for HIV-2. It was recommended that all sera in Maharashtra state indeterminate for HIV-1 by Western Blot be re-tested for HIV-2.