HIV-3 retrovirus strains and their use

摘要

Described are new HIV-3 retrovirus strains comprising in their nucleic acid sequence a contiguous R region and an U3 region sequence showing a homology of more than 70% with the nucleic acid sequence as represented in SEQ ID NO 3, and provided that said HIV-3 retrovirus strains have at least one nucleotide difference in their sequence compared to the HIV-3 (ANT 70) retrovirus strain deposited under ECACC N DEG V88060301. Further described are antigens obtained from the virus, particularly proteins p12, p16, p25 and glycoproteins gp41 and gp120 to be used in the diagnosis of ARC or AIDS caused by HIV-3. Immunogenic compositions to be used as vaccines contain an envelope glycoprotein of HIV-3 such as gp41 or gp120.