Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising at least one antigen, wherein the antigen is a protein or glycoprotein of a HIV-2 virus, wherein the HIV-2 virus has infectious properties with respect to human T4 lymphocytes and the essential morphological or immunological property of at least one of the retroviruses deposited at the CNCM under No. I-502, I-532, I-642, and I-643. It also relates to a process for the production of HIV-2 retrovirus antigens by lysing cells infected with the virus or lysing purified virus and recovering the antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of retroviruses, designated by HIV-2, of which samples have been deposited to the ECACC under numbers 87.01.1001 and 87.01.1002 and to the NCIB under numbers 12.398 and 12.399. It relates also to antigens capable to be obtained from this virus, particularly proteins p12, p16, p26 and gp140. These various antigens can be used for the diagnosis of the disease, especially by contacting these antigens with a serum of a patient submitted to the diagnosis. It relates to immunogenic compositions containing more particularly the glycoprotein gp140. Finally it concerns nucleotidic sequences, which can be used especially as hybridization probes, derived from the RNA of HIV-2.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of retroviruses, designated by HIV-2, of which samples have been deposited to the ECACC under numbers 87.01.1001 and 87.01.1002 and to the NCIB under numbers 12.398 and 12.399. It relates also to antigens capable to be obtained from this virus, particularly proteins p12, p16, p26 and gp140. These various antigens can be used for the diagnosis of the disease, especially by contacting these antigens with a serum of a patient submitted to the diagnosis. It relates to immunogenic compositions containing more particularly the glycoprotein gp140. Finally it concerns nucleotidic sequences, which can be used especially as hybridization probes, derived from the RNA of HIV-2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of retroviruses, designated by HIV-2, of which samples have been deposited to the ECACC under numbers 87.01.1001 and 87.01.1002 and to the NCIB under numbers 12.398 and 12.399.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These re-agents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: This invention includes a peptide comprising the sequence CAFRQVC and an antigenic composition using the same. It also includes an in vitro method of detecting HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in a sample using the peptide, and a kit for carrying out the method.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward the isolation of a novel retrovirus, the human immune deficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2, previously named LAV-2), from patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) originating from West Africa. This virus is related to HIV-1, the causative agent of AIDS, both by its morphology and by its tropism and in vitro cytopathic effect on CD4 (T4) positive cell lines and lymphocytes. However, preliminary hybridization experiments indicated that there are substantiated differences between the sequences of the two genomes. Furthermore, the proteins of HIV-1 and HIV-2 have different sizes and their serological cross-reactivity is restricted to the major core protein, as the envelope glycoproteins of HIV-2 are not immunoprecipitated by HIV-1 positive sera. Overlapping molecular clones were obtained and the complete nucleotide sequence of the gag and env genes was ascertained.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a novel human retrovirus isolated from West African AIDS patients. This virus was originally designated lymphadenopathy associated virus (LAV) type II and subsequently renamed the human immunodeficiency virus type 2, or HIV-2. This virus is genotypically and phenotypically distinct from both human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). A recombinant &lgr; phage library was prepared by subjecting HIV-2-infected CEM genomic DNA to digestion with Sau3AI. The library was screened with an HIV-2-specific cDNA probe and molecular clones of the virus were obtained. Restriction maps and the nucleotide sequences of these clones were ascertained. These nucleic acids should prove useful, inter alia, as probes for the detection of HIV-2 in biological samples and for the expression of HIV-2 gene products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new class of retroviruses, designated by HIV-2, of which samples have been deposited to the ECACC under numbers 87.01.1001 and 87.01.1002 and to the NCIB under numbers 12.398 and 12.399.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward nucleic acids containing the full-length human immunodeficiency virus type 2 ROD (HIV-2ROD) pol gene. HIV-2, which was originally designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus type II (LAV-II), was isolated from AIDS patients in West Africa. The virus is genotypically and phenotypically distinct from HIV-1 and bears a closer genetic relationship to the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV). The present invention describes the preparation of HIV-2ROD proviral molecular clones from a genomic lambda phage library of CD4+-infected cells. The complete nucleotide sequence of the full-length genome was determined and the putative gag, pol, env, vif (Q), vpr (R), vpx (X), nef (F), tat, and rev (art) genes identified. The claimed invention is directed toward nucleic acids containing the full-length HIV-2ROD pol gene (nt 1829-4936). These nucleic acids should prove useful as diagnostic reagents for the detection of HIV-2 and facilitate expression of the pol gene product.

Abstract: The claimed invention is directed toward in vitro methods for the detection of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) antibodies employing polypeptide fragments of HIV-2 Gag.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In one embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward polypeptides derived from novel lentiviruses. A novel lentivirus, designated the human immunodeficiency virus type 2, was isolated from West African patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Several isolates were obtained and designated HIV-2.sub.ROD, HIV-2.sub.IRMO, and HIV-2.sub.EHO. A recombinant lambda phage library was constructed from HIV-2.sub.ROD -infected CEM genomic DNA. Overlapping molecular clones were obtained and the nucleotide sequence of the complete 9.5-kilobase (kb) HIV-2.sub.ROD genome ascertained. The genetic organization of HIV-2 is analogous to that of other retroviruses and consists of the 5'LTR-gag-pol-central region-env-nef-3'LTR. The central region also encodes for the regulatory proteins Tat and Rev, as well as the ancillary proteins Vif, Vpr, and Vpx. The proteins encoded by this proviral clone will provide novel immunologic, biochemic, and diagnostic reagents useful for the detection of HIV-2.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing an HIV-2 (LAV-II) infection and a kit containing reagents for the same is disclosed. These reagents include cDNA probes which are capable of hybridizing to at least a portion of the genome of HIV-2. In the embodiment, the DNA probes are capable of hybridizing to the entire genome of HIV-2. These reagents also include polypeptides encoded by some of these DNA sequences.

Abstract: The molecular cloning and characterization of a novel human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2), designated HIV-2.sub.ROD, is described. A recombinant .lambda. phage genomic library was screened with an HIV-2-specific probe to identify overlapping subgenomic clones. Fragments of these .lambda. phage clones were subcloned into a suitable vector to reconstitute the complete HIV-2.sub.ROD genome. The complete nucleotide sequence of this proviral clone was ascertained and the following genes and gene products identified: gag (including p16, p26, and p12), pol, vif, vpr, vpx, env, tat, rev, and nef. These gene products will be useful, inter alia, in in vitro diagnostic methods and kits for the detection of HIV-2-specific antisera.

Abstract: Methods for producing the newly discovered HIV-2 retrovirus and its antigens are provided. The antigens are obtained from various HIV-2 retroviruses. The antigen compositions comprise a lysate of an HIV-2 retrovirus, a protein of an HIV-2 retrovirus, or a glycoprotein of an HIV-2 retrovirus. Specifically, the antigen composition can comprise p12, p16, p26, gp32, gp42, and gp140.