| abstract |
The invention relates to a new variety of retroviruses, called HIV-2, samples of which have been deposited at the ECACC under the numbers 87.01.1001 and 87.01.1002 and at the NCIB under the numbers 12.398 and 12.399. It also relates to the antigens capable of being obtained from this virus, in particular the proteins p12, p16, p26 and gp140. These various antigens are applicable to the diagnosis of the disease, in particular by contacting a serum of the patient in whom the diagnosis is to be made. It relates to immunogenic compositions containing more particularly the sp140 glycoprotein. Finally, it relates to nucleotide sequences, which can be used in particular as hybridization probes, derived from the HIV-2 RNA. |