Use of Karpas HIV cell test to detect antibodies to HIV-2.

Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for HIV-1 infection often fail to detect antibodies to HIV-2. A simplified version of the HIV cell test detects antibodies to this new virus and enables typing of HIV infections. Since sera from 3 macaque monkeys infected with simian immunodeficiency virus gave weakly positive reactions, this test holds promise for discovering any further strains of HIV that may exist or evolve.