Identification of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 in a New Zealand resident.

AIMS

To determine the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) types infecting a West African immigrant to New Zealand. To develop an HIV type 2 specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

METHODS

The HIV antibody status of the patient was determined using both HIV-1 and dual HIV-1 and 2 enzyme immuno assays (EIA). Western blot with HIV-2 and HIV-1 and 2 strips was used as a confirmatory assay. DNA from white blood cells was extracted and HIV proviral DNA amplified using either primers specific to the HIV-2 gag region (VB305 and VB312) or to HIV-1 gag (SK38/39) and env (SK68/69) regions. Amplified products were electrophoretically resolved, southern blotted and probed with specific oligonucleotide probes.

RESULTS

The patient serum was strongly reactive for HIV antibodies by EIA and showed multiple reactivity when tested by western blot against both HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteins. DNA was only amplified with primers specific to HIV-2 and the 298 bp product hybridized with an HIV-2 specific probe. No HIV-1 DNA was amplified from the patient.

CONCLUSION

This individual is infected with HIV-2 and has most likely developed antibodies that cross-react with HIV-1. We believe this is the first report of an HIV-2 infected individual in New Zealand.