Abstract: A method and composition is disclosed for inducing a protective immunity against HIV by inoculation with immunogens in low doses that are sufficient to induce a sustained cell-mediated response to HIV but below the amount necessary to induce an offsetting humoral response. The immunogens available for use in this method include attenuated forms of the HIV virus, subunits of the HIV virus, inactivated HIV virus and subinfectious doses of live HIV virus, all delivered at low doses. These immunogens can be prepared with-suitable carriers, adjuvants or diluents and administered either intramuscularly, mucosally (e.g., orally), intravenously or subcutaneously. The effectiveness of the initial dose of immunogen can be monitored for the presence of a sufficient cell-mediated response using a T-cell proliferation assay or an interleukin-2 assay and monitored for the lack of offsetting humoral response using commercially available ELISA assays for anti-HIV antibodies.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a peptide having the amino acid sequence Glu-Ile-Cys-Thr-Glu-Met-Glu-Lys-Glu-Gly-Lys-Ile-Ser-Lys-Ile-Gly-Pro or portions thereof. This peptide is derived from, or based upon, a region of a relatively conserved epitope of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The peptide may be utilized in the treatment of patients having human immunodeficiency virus or in the prevention of infection of those individuals who have been exposed to the disease, yet have not become sero-positive. The preparation containing the peptide may be administered either subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously.