Hiv-2 seroconversion period i.e. time for antibody to be dectected?

Question

i am baffled, i have checked everywhere like through the internet and haven't found any luck. how long is the detection of hiv-2 . i know hiv-1 the disease peogression is faster than 2 can someone help me

Answer 1

HIV-2
A second HIV designated HIV-2 has been isolated. Most cases have appeared in West Africa and have appeared only sporadically in other parts of the world. The genetic sequences of HIV-1 and HIV-2 are only partially homologous. HIV-2, or other as yet uncharacterized members of the HIV-group of viruses, will not necessarily be detected by using the various laboratory tests for HIV-1 antibody. HIV-2 is genetically more closely related to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) than HIV-1.

The transmission of HIV-2 is similar to that for HIV-1, though perinatal transmission is much less frequent. HIV-2 infection has a longer latent period before the appearance of AIDS, a less aggressive course of AIDS, and a lower viral load with higher CD4 lymphocyte counts than HIV-1 infection until late in the course of the disease when clinical AIDS is apparent. This may explain the limited spread of HIV-2, both in West African countries and elsewhere, due to less efficient transmission, particularly via heterosexual and perinatal modes. The mortality rate from HIV-2 infection is only two-thirds that for HIV-1.

Answer 2

Yes, while the progression to A.I.D.S. is slower with HIV-2, the seroconversion rates are sililar (4 wks - 6 months), and thus many newer ELISA diagnostic tests out there simultaneously test for both HIV-1 and HIV2, later followed with a confirmatory Western Blot analysis.

Here is at least one website that claims the seroconversion rates are similar...

http://www.areuatrisk.com/tests.php

TEXT:
"...Patients infected with HIV-2 may have a negative or indeterminate result by standard HIV-1 serology. The development of antibodies is similar in HIV-1 and HIV-2. Antibodies generally become detectable within 3 months of infection...."

FYI however, HIV-2 is primarily a concern in West Africa and extremely rare in the USA (~100 or a bit more).

About what the other poster mentioned...To my knowledge, RT PCR and PCR to determine viral RNA (or viral DNA ) loads are very expensive, and thus primarily used to quantify the effect of antiviral therapies rather than for diagnostic test.

Answer 3

I was very surprised that there are almost no sites which mention about the seroconversion period of HIV 2.
It is said that newer techniques like PCR help us detect evn the minutest quantities of viruses as lil as 10 copies per mL and hence detect the infection within 72 hours of infection.... so the qustion is do we really wait for seroconversion?


http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/m0038078/m0038078.asp
http://medhelp.org/forums/HIV/messages/227.html
http://www.srlranbaxy.com/news-hiv.htm

Answer 4

I have a similar concern. There is almost no information on HIV 2. Does antiviral treatment work for hiv 2? Where and how is treated? I think I have HIV 2, as antibody tests show positive and p24 show negative.