Antibodies to V3 loop peptides derived from chimpanzee lentiviruses and the divergent HIV-1ANT-70 isolate in human sera from different geographic regions.

Objective: To study the spread of antibodies to V3 loop peptides of two chimpanzee lentiviruses and the divergent HIV-1ANT-70 isolate (group O) in human sera from different geographic regions, and to compare this with reactions to peptides from known North American (subtype B) and Zaïrean (subtype D) strains.

Methods: A total 2495 HIV-1-antibody-positive sera from nine countries were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antibodies to the V3 loop of 10 HIV/SIV isolates (including MN, SF2, HXB2, RF, MAL, ELI, Z6 and ANT-70 for HIV-1, and cpz-gab and cpz-ant for SIV).

Results: In each country, the highest prevalences were observed against the MN peptide (58.

Isolation and characterization of a new chimpanzee lentivirus (simian immunodeficiency virus isolate cpz-ant) from a wild-captured chimpanzee.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of infection with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) isolate cpz, a lentivirus closely related to HIV-1, in chimpanzees, and to obtain new SIVcpz isolates.

Methods: Forty-four wild-captured chimpanzees in Belgium and Côte d'Ivoire were tested for HIV and SIV antibodies. Virus was isolated from the peripheral blood lymphocytes of positive animals and characterized by electron microscopy, Western blot and radioimmunoprecipitation assay.