BHIVA Guidelines for Antiretroviral Treatment of HIV-2 Positive Individuals

The consultation period for these guidelines is now closed and the Writing Group are preparing the guidelines for publication.

HIV-2, closely related to SIV from sooty mangabes, was first identified in 1986 in patients with AIDS in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, West Africa. Like HIV-1, HIV-2 is an immunodeficiency virus which causes AIDS in humans.  However, although HIV-1 and HIV-2 are related, there are important structural differences between them which influence pathogenicity, natural history and therapy. 

The HIV-2 epidemic has its epicentre in West Africa, and is also found in those countries that have had historical colonial links with the region, in particular Portugal and France. Sociocultural issues such as civil war and migration have had major impact on the spread of HIV-2. Diagnoses of HIV-2 are increasing in India but in Europe and the US the prevalence remains low. HIV 2 does not protect against HIV 1 and dual infection is observed. In the United Kingdom, approximately 144 HIV-2 mono-infections and 22 HIV-1 and 2 dual infections have been reported to the Health Protection Agency.

• Jane Anderson, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Judith Breuer, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• David Chadwick, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
• Yvonne Gilleece, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton
• David Hawkins, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London
• Li Xu McCrae, West Midlands Public Health Laboratory
• Deenan Pillay, University College London
• Erasmus Smit, West Midlands Public Health Laboratory
• Nicola Smith, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London