HIV-1 and HIV-2 Antibodies for Cadaveric or Hemolyzed Specimens,
Serum Clinical Information Discusses physiology,
pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to
a laboratory test Epidemiological data indicate that AIDS is
caused by at least 2 types of HIV. The first virus, HIV-1, has
been isolated from patients with AIDS, AIDS-related complex, and
asymptomatic infected individuals at high risk for AIDS. HIV-1
is transmitted by sexual contact, exposure to infected blood or
blood products, or from an infected mother to her fetus or
infant. A second HIV virus, HIV-2, was isolated from patients in
West Africa in 1986. HIV-2 appears to be endemic only in West
Africa, but it also has been identified in individuals who have
lived in West Africa or had sexual relations with individuals
from that geographic region. HIV-2 is similar to HIV-1 in its
morphology, overall genomic structure, and its ability to cause
AIDS. Antibodies against HIV-1 and HIV-2 are usually not
detected until 6 to 12 weeks follo