HIV-2 infection in Bissau, West Africa, 1987-1989: incidence, prevalences, and routes of transmission

The incidence of infection caused by HIV type 2 (HIV-2) may be increasing among residents of Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa. A study examined the incidence of infection with HIV-2 among the occupants of 95 houses in Bissau between 1987 and 1989. Two of the houses were no longer inhabited in 1989. None of the HIV-positive individuals were infected with HIV type 1 alone. Nine percent of the adults were infected with HIV-2 in 1987, compared with 10% in 1989. Six percent of the individuals between 15 and 39 years old were infected with HIV-2 in 1987, compared with 11% in 1989. Only four children were infected with HIV-2 in both 1987 and 1989. A significant association was found been HIV-2 infection and a history of sexually transmitted diseases.