Abstract: A search method in a biological sample containing an HIV-2 viral strain for possible resistance of said strain to treatment by an anti-protease agent, and nucleotide probes for the implementation thereof. According to methods known per se, the presence of at least one mutation at certain, specified, particular positions of the proteinic sequence of the protease of said viral strain from a biological sample taken from a patient contaminated by HIV-2 is searched. If said mutation is observed, the existence of a resistance to said anti-protease agent is assumed in the patient.

Abstract: A search method in a biological sample containing an HIV 2 viral strain for possible resistance of said strain to treatment by an anti-protease agent, and nucleotide probes for the implementation thereof. According to methods known per se, the presence of at least one mutation at certain, specified, particular positions of the proteinic sequence of the protease of said viral strain from a biological sample taken from a patient contaminated by HIV 2 is searched. If said mutation is observed, the existence of a resistance to said anti-protease agent is assumed in the patient.

Abstract: A search method in a biological sample containing an HIV 2 viral strain for possible resistance of said strain to treatment by an anti-protease agent, and nucleotide probes for the implementation thereof. According to methods known per se, the presence of at least one mutation at certain, specified, particular positions of the proteinic sequence of the protease of said viral strain from a biological sample taken from a patient contaminated by HIV 2 is searched. If said mutation is observed, the existence of a resistance to said anti-protease agent is assumed in the patient.

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 search method in a biological sample containing an HIV 2 viral strain for possible resistance of said strain to treatment by an anti-protease agent, and nucleotide probes for the implementation thereof. According to methods known per se, the presence of at least one mutation at certain, specified, particular positions of the proteinic sequence of the protease of said viral strain from a biological sample taken from a patient contaminated by HIV 2 is searched. If said mutation is observed, the existence of a resistance to said anti-protease agent is assumed in the patient.

Abstract: A search method in a biological sample containing an HIV 2 viral strain for possible resistance of said strain to treatment by an anti-protease agent, and nucleotide probes for the implementation thereof. According to methods known per se, the presence of at least one mutation at certain, specified, particular positions of the proteinic sequence of the protease of said viral strain from a biological sample taken from a patient contaminated by HIV 2 is searched. If said mutation is observed, the existence of a resistance to said anti-protease agent is assumed in the patient.

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: The identification, separation, purification, and propagation of the HIV-1 virus is provided. Moreover, the preparation of antigens from HIV-1 is further provided. The identification of HIV-1 involves the purification of a virus sample from lymphocytes and contacting the sample with antibodies, which bind to HIV-1 viruses, is provided. The propagation of HIV-1 virus involves infecting uninfected T lymphocytes with the virus. Moreover, the preparation of antigens from HIV-1 involves the separation of protein components of a purified HIV-1 virus under denaturing conditions.

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: Antibodies which bind with antigens of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), such as Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (LAV), are disclosed. Retroviruses associated with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are isolated from the sera of patients afflicted with Lymphadenopathy Syndrome (LAS) or AIDS. Viral extracts, structural proteins and other fractions of the retrovirus immunologically recognize the sera of such patients.

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: Retroviruses associated with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), including Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (LAV), are isolated from the sera of patients afflicted with Lymphadenopathy Syndrome (LAS) or AIDS. LAV is a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Viral extract, structural proteins and other fractions of the retrovirus immunologically recongize the sera of such patients. Immunological reaction is used to detect antibodies that specifically bind to antigenic sites of the retrovirus in samples of body fluids from patients with AIDS or risk of AIDS.

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 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 novel retrovirus isolated from patients in West Africa that is capable of causing lymphadenopathies and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This virus, which was originally designated “LAV type II”, “LAV-II”, or “West African AIDS retrovirus”, has been subsequently renamed the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2). Two isolates were obtained, characterized, and designated HIV-2MIR and HIV-2ROD (C.N.C.M. deposit nos. I-502 and I-532, respectively). Radioimmunoprecipitation (RIPA) and Western blot analyses involving patient antisera identified viral proteins with molecular weights of 16 Kd (p16), 26 Kd (p26), 130-140 Kd (gp130-140), and 36 Kd (gp36). The claimed invention is directed toward kits for the detection of HIV-2 antigens comprising polyclonal and monoclonal antisera directed against these proteins.

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: This invention discloses the identification and characterization of a novel human retrovirus, originally designated lymphadenopathy-associated virus type II, or LAV-II, and subsequently redesignated the human immunodeficiency virus type 2, or HIV-2. This virus was isolated from West African AIDS patients and propagated on immortalized lymphocytic cell lines or donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Immunological and nucleic acid hybridization studies demonstrated that HIV-2 differs significantly from HIV-1, the aetiological agent of AIDS. Additional biochemical characterization identified viral antigens having molecular weights of 16, 26, 36, and 130-140 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. These proteins were subsequently designated p16, p26, gp36, and gp130-140, respectively. These antigens can be employed, inter alia, in the generation of both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, which should prove useful in diagnostic and viral antigen purification applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new variety of retroviruses designated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 2 (HIV-2), samples of which have been deposited at CNCM and having Accession Numbers I-502 and I-532. The invention also concerns purified forms of the antigens which can be obtained from this virus, in particular from the gp36 and gp130-140 envelope glycoproteins. These various antigens are useful in medical diagnosis and kits, in particular by being placed in contact with serum of the patient to be diagnosed. The invention further relates to polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies specific for the antigens of HIV-2, particularly antibodies specific for gp130-140 envelope glycoprotein. Lastly, the invention relates to immunizing compositions, in particular containing at least one of glycoproteins gp36 or gp130-140.