Spectrum of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-2 Patients in and around Belgaum, South India

Abstract

Background: HIV-2 is less common worldwide as compared to HIV-1. We conducted a retrospective study regarding the presentation of HIV-2 in Belgaum area.

Material and Methods: We screened suspected HIV patients using rapid and ELISA techniques. All reactive patients were differentiated in to HIV-1 & 2 by Western blot. HIV-2 infected patients were screened for opportunistic infections depending on clinical presentations.

Results: Twelve patients found to be infected only with HIV-2 infection. Chronic diarrhoea and weight loss was the commonest symptom. Four patients had Cryptosporidial infection alone (33.33%), three with Isospora belli alone (25%) and one with both infections (8.33%). Three patient’s sputum samples were positive for AFB (25%) and one among them had oral and oesophageal Candidiasis (Candida albicans) (8.33%). One patient CSF sample showed capsulated yeast cells in negative stain and in culture Cryptococcus neoformans was isolated (8.33%).

Conclusions: Along with HIV-1, HIV-2 is also sporadically circulating in our area. As compare to HIV-1, HIV-2 also presented with same clinical presentation and same spectrum opportunistic infections.