Non-HIV-1/non-HIV-2 antibody test data

The Berkeley, Calif., company reported evidence that an antibody marker can detect a possible HIV co-factor. At the meeting of the American Society of Microbiology, a non-HIV-1/non-HIV-2 antibody test was described. The human endogenous retroviruses detected by the antibody have cross-reactivity with HIV, but the new test distinguishes the two.

Data presented showed that 21 percent of 156 people with sexually transmitted diseases had the non-1/non-2 antibodies. In contrast, the antibodies were present in only 0.6 percent of 3,800 low-risk individuals. The antibodies were also found in 23 percent of 153 people with other diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune problems. ...