Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 infection.

Authors

  • K Mansinho Serviço de Doenças Infecciosas, Hospital Egas Moniz, Lisboa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.2164

Abstract

The isolation of a second retrovirus, HIV-2, led to fears that a second AIDS pandemic, similar in scope and magnitude to that caused by HIV-1, might ensue. However, the peculiar biologic properties of HIV-2, namely the lower transmissibility of this virus through both sexual and vertical routes, contributed to a more regionalized distribution of the virus, which became endemic in West Africa. HIV-2 is genetically more closely related to SIV than to HIV-1. When it comes to clinical disease, the spectrum of opportunistic infections and tumors (except for Kaposi sarcoma) are similar to that observed with HIV-1. Controlled longitudinal studies suggest that the rate of progression to advanced HIV related disease and mortality are far lower for HIV-2 than for HIV-1. Understanding how, immunologically and virologically, HIV-2 behaves differently from HIV-1 may provide some insight into the mechanisms governing HIV-1 pathogenesis.

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How to Cite

1.
Mansinho K. Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 infection. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 1999 Dec. 31 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];12(12):367-70. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/2164

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Section

Arquivo Histórico