HIV-2 Infection Surveillance—United States, 1987-2009

Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is categorized into two types, HIV-1 and HIV-2. Worldwide, most HIV infections are HIV-1, whereas HIV-2 largely has been confined to persons in or from West Africa. HIV-1 and HIV-2 have the same routes of transmission, and both can cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); however, HIV-2 infections should be differentiated from HlV-1 infections because they are less likely to cause AIDS and their clinical management differs. Here, Selik et al present the CDC's current surveillance case definition for HIV infection which applies to both variants of HIV but lacks criteria for differentiating between HIV-1 and HIV-2. Accordingly, to enumerate and describe HIV-2 cases reported in the United States, a working case definition was developed. During 1988-June 2010, a total of 242 HIV-2 cases were reported to CDC, and 166 of these met the working definition. A CDC editorial note is included.