AEGiS-12IAC: HIV-2 in Spain: data from the National Registry up to December 1997.

12th International AIDS Conference

Geneva, Switzerland - June 28-July 3, 1998

HIV-2 in Spain: data from the National Registry up to December 1997.

Int Conf AIDS 1998 Jun 28-Jul 3; 12:23 (abstract no. 11207)

Soriano V, Machuca A, Gutierrez M, Aguilera A, Caballero E;;; Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the main characteristics of subjects with HIV-2 infection reported in Spain up to 31 December 1997, examining case report forms from the HIV-2 National Registry database.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The HIV-2 Spanish Study Group was founded in 1990, and includes participants from more than 30 diagnostic centers distributed for all the Spanish geography. An annual meeting is organized since 1991, which provides the opportunity to report and discuss the recent identified cases. Serological (EIA, LIA, Western blot) and/or genetic methods are requested to confirm HIV-2 infection.

RESULTS: since 1988, when the first 3 cases of HIV-2 infection were identified in 3 African immigrants living in Barcelona, up to January 1998, a total number of 72 cases of infection have been reported. 56 (77.8%) of them were men. All cases were adults except for one boy who acquired the infection vertically. Most individuals were originated from African countries (N = 51), but a prostitute had been born in Portugal. The remaining cases were Spanish native subjects. The route of infection was through heterosexual contact in most individuals, although 6 cases were homosexual men, and 3 had been IDUs. Up to now, only 12 (16.7%) of subjects have developed AIDS, meanwhile the rest remains asymptomatic. In 5 individuals, co-infection with HIV-1 was confirmed by both serologic and PCR methods. HIV-2 subtypes have been examined in 12 samples: 8 belonged to subtype A (4 Spanish natives, and 4 Africans) and 4 to subtype B. It is noteworthy that all patients coming from Equatorial Guinea were infected with B subtypes, as well as one Spanish native seaman who had been working in the West Coast of Africa during many years. Overall, there is no evident increase in the number of reported cases over time. Cases tend to be concentrated around large cities: Madrid (n = 28), Barcelona (n = 20), Vigo (n = 5), and San Sebastian (n = 4).

CONCLUSION: HIV-2 infection is currently circulating in Spain, although with low prevalence and without evident increase over time. The main HIV-2 subtypes, A and B, are recognized in both Spanish natives and Africans. However, all patients coming from Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, carried the B subtype.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV-2, HIV-1, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Prevalence, Registries, Prostitution, Heterosexuality, Homosexuality, Spain, Federal Government, Hispanic Americans, Ethnic Groups, Africa, Portugal, Greece, Equatorial Guinea, Human, Male, Adult, ICA12
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