Prevalence of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 and 2 among Blood Donors in Jiangsu from 2016 to 2019 / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type-I/II infection among voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu (Nanjing, Suzhou, Xuzhou).@*METHODS@#From 2016 to 2019, 408 262 samples of voluntary blood donors from four blood stations in Jiangsu Province (Jiangsu Province Blood Center, Nanjing Red Cross Blood Center, Suzhou Central Blood Station, and Xuzhou Central Blood Station) were screened for HTLV-I/II antibody by ELISA. The positive samples were sent to National Center for Clinical Laboratories for confirmation by RT-PCR and Western blot.@*RESULTS@#The positive rate of HTLV-I/II screened by ELISA was 0.20‰ (82/408 262), and three HTLV-I positive samples were confirmed. The prevalence of HTLV-1 infection was 0.74 per 100 000 (3/408 262). All three donors were female repeated blood donors of childbearing ages.@*CONCLUSION@#Jiangsu is a low prevalence area of HTLV, and a reasonable blood screening strategy for HTLV can further reduce the risk of transfusion-transmitted virus infection.

HTLV-2 infection in Manaus, Brazil: first description of HTLV-2c subtype in an urban area of the Western Amazon region

Abstract INTRODUCTION: We investigated the prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infection in patients with hematological diseases from the western Amazon region of Brazil. METHODS: Samples from 306 patients were submitted for the molecular diagnosis of HTLV-1/2 infection by real time PCR (qPCR), with amplification, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of the long terminal repeat (LTR) region. RESULTS: A 29-year-old male carrier of sickle cell anemia with a history of multiple blood transfusions was diagnosed with the HTLV-2c subtype. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the first known occurrence of HTLV-2c in the urban area of Brazil's western Amazon region.

Protocolo Brasileiro para Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis 2020: infecção pelo vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV) / Brazilian Protocol for Sexually Transmitted Infections 2020: human T cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection / Protocolo Brasileño para Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual 2020: infección por virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (HTLV)

O artigo aborda a infecção pelo vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas (human T lymphotropic virus, HTLV), tema contemplado no Protocolo Clínico e Diretrizes Terapêuticas para Atenção Integral às Pessoas com Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis, publicado pelo Ministério da Saúde do Brasil. A infecção pelo HTLV-1/2 é um problema de saúde pública mundial, sendo o Brasil o país a referir o maior número de indivíduos convivendo com o vírus. O HTLV-1 causa diversas manifestações clínicas, de natureza neoplásica, como a leucemia/linfoma de células T do adulto, e de natureza inflamatória, a exemplo da mielopatia associada ao HTLV-1 e outras alterações, como uveíte, artrite e dermatite infecciosa. Estas patologias apresentam elevada morbimortalidade e impactam negativamente a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos infectados. A presente revisão inclui informações relevantes para gestores e profissionais de saúde sobre os mecanismos de transmissão viral, diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento de indivíduos vivendo com o HTLV-1/2 no Brasil.

This manuscript is related to the chapter about human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) that is part of the Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for Comprehensive Care for People with Sexually Transmitted Infections, published by the Brazilian Health Ministry. HTLV-1/2 infection is a worldwide public health problem and Brazil has the largest number of individuals living with the virus. HTLV-1 causes a variety of clinical manifestations of a neoplastic nature, such as adult leukemia/T-cell lymphoma, and also of an inflammatory nature, such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy, as well as other manifestations such as uveitis, arthritis and infective dermatitis. These pathologies have high morbidity and mortality and negatively impact the quality of life of infected individuals. This review includes relevant information for health service managers and workers regarding virus transmission modes, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of individuals living with HTLV-1 and 2 in Brazil.

El artículo está relacionado con el capítulo sobre virus linfotrópico de células T humanas (human T lymphotropic virus, HTLV) que conforma el Protocolo Clínico y Directrices Terapéuticas para la Atención Integral a Personas con Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, publicado por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil. La infección por HTLV-1/2 es un problema de salud pública en el mundo y Brasil tiene el mayor número de personas que viven con el virus. El HTLV-1 causa varias manifestaciones clínicas, de naturaleza neoplásica (leucemia/linfoma de células T adultas), y de naturaleza inflamatoria, como la mielopatía asociada al HTLV-1 y otras manifestaciones como la uveítis, la artritis y la dermatitis infecciosa. Estas patologías tienen una alta morbilidad y mortalidad e impactan negativamente en la calidad de vida de las personas infectadas. Esta revisión incluye información relevante para gerentes y profesionales de la salud sobre los mecanismos de transmisión viral, diagnóstico, tratamiento y monitoreo de personas que viven con HTLV-1 y 2 en Brasil.

Specificity of HTLV screening tests and its impact on health care program costs: The perspective of antenatal screening in Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Brazil ranks first in the number of HTLV-1/-2-infected individuals worldwide. The high morbidity and mortality of HTLV-1-associated diseases, especially following infection in infancy, requires strong action to reduce vertical transmission. METHODS: To facilitate the appraisal of the implementation of the HTLV antenatal screening program by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, we determined the costs in distinct scenarios according to HTLV seroprevalence, specificity of the screening test, and type of confirmatory test. RESULTS: HTLV antenatal screening would cost R$ 55,777,012-R$ 77,082,123/year. Screening assays with high specificity reduce the need and cost of confirmatory assays by up to 25%. CONCLUSIONS: Careful selection of the screening assay is required to optimize the program.

Prevalence of infection by human T Cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV-1/2) in adult population in Vitoria-ES

ABSTRACT Introduction: Brazil has a high number of HTLV-1/2 infections which are unequally distributed in the country. Most prevalence studies have focused on specific populations, such as blood donors and pregnant women. Some areas, for example the state of Bahia, have robust information about HTLV-1/2 infection, however there is no information available about this infection in the general population of Vitoria, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Objective: To determine the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in adults from the municipality of Vitoria, ES. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed from September 2010 to December 2011, in individuals of both sexes, aged 18 or older living in Vitoria-ES. Venous blood samples were collected and tested for anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CMIA). Individuals with CMIA reactive results were submitted to a new blood collection for retesting by CMIA, followed by PCR to confirm infection and discriminate the viral type. Results: From 1502 tested samples, eight were reactive in CMIA and all were confirmed by PCR. Therefore, the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 was 0.53% (8/1502, 95% CI: 0.2-1.0%). The infection rate was 0.7% in men (5/711, 95% CI: 0.17-1.51%), and 0.38% in women (3/791, 95% CI: 0 -0.81%). Conclusions: The prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection was 0.53% (8/1502; 95% CI: 0.2 -0.9%). Confirmatory test using real-time PCR (qPCR) identified seven individuals positive for HTLV-1 and one for HTLV-2. Considering the risk of infected individuals to develop high morbidity and mortality diseases, it would be important to implement public health policies aimed at stopping transmission of these viruses in this municipality. 2021 Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus in Brazil: assays, flowcharts, challenges, and perspectives

Abstract INTRODUCTION We present a data analysis and review of recent studies regarding the laboratory diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) infections in Brazil. METHODS Target populations, available diagnostic serological assays (screening and complementary tests), molecular assays (in-house), causes of false-positive and false-negative results, and flowcharts were analyzed. RESULTS A table presents the target populations, two diagnostic flowcharts (depending on laboratory infrastructure and study population), and recent research that may improve how HTLV-1/2 is diagnosed in Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the implementation of public policies to reduce HTLV-1/2 transmission and its associated diseases.

Prevalencia de infección por los virus de la hepatitis B, D y por retrovirus en la etnia Matsés (Loreto, Perú) / Prevalence of retrovirus, hepatitis B and D infection in the Matsés ethnic group in Loreto, Peru

RESUMEN Para determinar la prevalencia de infección por los virus de la hepatitis B y D (VHB y VHD, respectivamente), VIH y HTLV-1/2 en la etnia matsés, después de la inmunización contra el VHB se realizó un estudio transversal y poblacional, utilizando pruebas de ELISA y qPCR en 963 pobladores. Las prevalencias de HBsAg, anti-HBc y anti-HBs fueron 3,3%, 36,0% y 58,7%, respectivamente. En el 3,1% de la población la carga viral fue mayor a 2000 UI/mL. En menores de 10 años, la prevalencia de HBsAg y anti-HBc fue 0,0% y 2,6%, respectivamente, mientras que en el 94,4% se encontraron anticuerpos protectores. La prevalencia de infección por el VIH y el HTLV-1/2 fue 1,5% y 0,6%, respectivamente. Se concluye que existen tasas bajas de infección por el VHB y el VHD en la población infantil de la etnia matsés. Asimismo, se confirma la presencia de infección por el VIH y el HTLV-1/2.

ABSTRACT Observational, cross-sectional, populational study to determine the prevalence of infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis D virus (HDV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) in the Matsés ethnic group, after immunization against HBV. ELISA and qPCR tests were used in 963 residents. The prevalence of HBsAg, Anti-HBc and Anti-HBs was 3.32%, 36.03% and 58.67% respectively. In 3.1% of the population the viral load was greater than 2000 IU/mL. In children under 10 years, the prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HBc was 0.0% and 2.6%, respectively, while protective antibodies were found in 94.4%. The prevalence of HIV and HTLV-1/2 infection was 1.5% and 0.6%, respectively. It is therefore concluded that there are low rates of HBV and HDV infection in the Matsés child population. Likewise, the presence of HIV and HTLV-1/2 infection is confirmed.

Infección por virus HTLV-1/2 confirmada por serología y detección de provirus en pacientes ecuatorianos de paraparesis espástica tropical / HTLV-1/2 virus infection confirmed by serology and provirus DNA detection in tropical spastic paraparesis Ecuadorian patients

Introduccion: La infección con el virus linfotrópico de células T humano (HTLV) de tipo 1 y 2 es endémica en América del Sur. Existen muy pocos reportes clínicos de este retrovirus en pacientes de Ecuador y nunca confirmaron la presencia del virus con el aislamiento o la detección de su ADN. Esta infección se encuentra desatendida por las autoridades de salud pública, sin que existan estudios epidemiológicos de prevalencia a nivel del país. Objetivos: Este estudio tiene como objetivo la detección de infección por HTLV -1/2 en individuos sintomáticos de paraparesis espástica tropical (TSP) utilizando por primera vez en Ecuador diagnóstico serológico y la detección del provirus por biología molecular. Diseño del estudio. Se tomaron muestras de nueve pacientes con un diagnóstico de mielopatía y sospechoso de TSP, que fueron analizadas para la detección del virus HTLV-1/2 usando tres metodologías: ELISA comercial, ensayo de inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IF) y PCR anidada. Resultados: Cinco de los 9 (55.5%) pacientes fueron positivos tanto para la prueba de ELISA como para IF y PCR anidada. Conclusión: La alta prevalencia de infección por HTLV-1/2 entre individuos sintomáticos de mielopatía muestra la endemicidad de este retrovirus en Ecuador, la asociación de HTLV-1/2 con TSP y la necesidad de implementar estrategias de control y prevención para evitar la diseminación de esta enfermedad infecciosa desatendida.

Background: Infection with the Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type 1 and 2 is endemic in South America. There are only a few clinical reports of this retrovirus in patients in Ecuador, without employing virus-isolation methods or viral DNA detection. The infection is usually neglected in health care settings and by public health authorities and no country wide prevalence data are available. Objectives: This study aims to detect the HTLV-1/2 infection in symptomatic individuals for tropical spastic paraparesis (TSP) using for the first time in Ecuador both immunological and molecular biology methodologies. Study Design: Blood samples of 9 symptomatic individuals with myelopathy were analyzed for the detection of the HTLV-1/2 virus with three methods: ELISA, an indirect immunofluorescence (IF) assay and a nested-PCR. Results: Five out of 9 (55.5%) myelopathy patients were positive for ELISA, IF and nested- HTLV-1/2 PCR. Conclusion. The high prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among myelopathy patients shows the endemicity of this retrovirus in Ecuador, the association of HTLV-1/2 infection with TSP and the need of the implementation of control and prevention interventions to overcome the further dissemination of this neglected infectious disease.

Line immunoassay for confirmation and discrimination of human t-cell lymphotropic virus infections in inconclusive western blot serum samples from Brazil

Difficulties in confirming and discriminating human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2 infections by serological Western blot (WB) assays (HTLV Blot 2.4; MP Biomedicals) have been reported in Brazil, mainly in HIV/AIDS patients, with a large number of WB-indeterminate and WB-positive but HTLV-untypeable results. Nonetheless, a line immunoassay (LIA) (INNO-LIA HTLV-I/II; Fujirebio) provided enhanced specificity and sensitivity for confirming HTLV-1/2 infections. To add information concerning the improved ability of the LIA in relation to WB when applied to samples of individuals from different risk groups from Brazil, we performed the present study. Three groups were analyzed group 1 (G1), with 62 samples from HIV/AIDS patients from São Paulo, SP (48 WB indeterminate and 14 HTLV untypeable); group 2 (G2), with 24 samples from patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C from São Paulo (21 WB indeterminate and 3 HTLV untypeable; 17 HIV seropositive); and group 3 (G3), with 25 samples from an HTLV outpatient clinic in Salvador, Bahia (16 WB indeterminate and 9 HTLV untypeable; all HIV seronegative). Overall, the LIA confirmed HTLV-1/2 infection (HTLV-1, HTLV-2, or HTLV) in 66.1% (G1), 83.3% (G2), and 76.0% (G3) of samples. Interestingly, the majority of WB-indeterminate results were confirmed by the LIA as being HTLV-2 positive in G1 and G2 but not in G3, in which the samples were defined as being HTLV-1 or HTLV positive. These results agree with the virus types that circulate in such patients of different regions in Brazil and emphasize that the LIA is the bes

Estratégias de melhoria, expansão do diagnóstico e monitoramento das infecções por HTLV-1 e HTLV-2 nas coinfecções por HIV, HBV e HCV / Improvement strategies, expansion of diagnosis and monitoring of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections in HIV, HBV and HCV co-infections

Para avaliar o impacto das coinfecções pelos vírus T-linfotrópicos humanos 1 e 2 (HTLV-1/-2) e vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) nas hepatites virais B e C, e analisar estratégias para melhoria e expansão do diagnóstico das infecções por HTLV-1/2, realizou-se este estudo. O impacto nas hepatites foi analisado pelas medianas de carga viral (CV) e clareamento viral obtidos em cada grupo de indivíduos infectados pelos vírus das hepatites B (HBV, n=1.910) e C (HCV, n=1.315), separados quanto à positividade para as coinfecções. A menor CV de HBV foi detectada nos HBV/HTLV-2, independente do status HIV (p<0,05). Enquanto os coinfectados HCV/HIV, HCV/HIV/HTLV-1/-2, apresentaram as maiores CV de HCV (p<0,05), e a menor foi detectada nos pacientes HCV/HTLV-2. No início do estudo 61,1% dos HBV/HTLV-2 e 21,4% dos HBV/HTLV-1 tinham CV indetectável. Contrapondo as porcentagens de CV indetectável nos HCV/HTLV-1 e HCV/HTLV-2, que eram inicialmente similares e, durante o acompanhamento, ocorreu mais depuração do HCV em pacientes HCV/HTLV-2 [OR 2,65; IC 95% (1,17­5,99)]. A busca por marcadores genéticos virais que pudessem interferir nos testes diagnósticos para HTLV-1/2, avaliou 69 amostras de DNA de indivíduos de SP [HTLV-1 (n=44) e HTLV-2 (n=25)] e, encontrou os subtipos HTLV-1aA e HTLV-2c e os respectivos genótipos TaxA e TaxC entre as estirpes circulantes. Ainda, mutações pontuais (LTR), sinônimas e não sinônimas (env e tax) e deleção de segmentos genômicos de HTLV-1/-2 (provírus defectivos), foram associados com pior desempenho dos testes de triagem e confirmatórios...(AU)

HTLV 1/2 Prevalence and risk factors in individuals with HIV/AIDS in Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Apart from masking the diagnosis of AIDS in patients with HIV/AIDS, human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV), when present, also increases the risk of myelopathies and neurological disease in these patients. METHODS: Disease prevalence was estimated by ELISA and confirmed by Western blot. RESULTS: The coinfection rate was 1.5% (11/720); 10 of 11 patients had HTLV-1, and the remaining one had HTLV-2. The majority were male, over 40 years old, and of pardo color (ethnicity). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association between the risk factors examined and HTLV/HIV coinfection. This is the first study to report the occurrence of HTLV-2 in Pernambuco.

Hepatitis C viral load in HCV-monoinfected and HCV/HIV-1-, HCV/HTLV-1/-2-, and HCV/HIV/HTLV-1/-2-co-infected patients from São Paulo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Co-infections of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and either human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) or type 2 (HTLV-2) have been described as having an impact on HCV viremia and subsequent disease progression. HCV load in serum samples from 622 patients (343 males, 279 females; median age 50.8 years) from São Paulo/southeast Brazil was analyzed using the Abbott Real Time HCV assay (Abbott Molecular Inc., IL, USA). Samples were obtained from HCV-monoinfected (n = 548), HCV/HIV-1- (n = 41), HCV/HTLV-1- (n = 16), HCV/HTLV-2- (n = 8), HCV/HIV/HTLV-1- (n = 4), and HCV/HIV/HTLV-2-co-infected (n = 5) patients, and results were compared among the groups and according to sex. The median HCV load in HCV-monoinfected patients was 5.23 log10 IU/mL and 0.31 log10 higher in men than in women. Increases in viral load of 0.51 log10, 0.54 log10, and 1.43 log10 IU/mL were detected in HCV/HIV-1-, HCV/HTLV-1- and HCV/HIV/HTLV-1-co-infected individuals, respectively, compared with HCV-monoinfected counterparts. In contrast, compared to HCV/HIV co-infected patients, HCV/HTLV-2-co-infected patients had an HCV load of 5.0 log10 IU/mL, whereas HCV/HIV/HTLV-2-co-infected patients had a median load 0.37 log10 IU/mL lower. Significant differences in HCV loads were detected, with males and HCV/HIV-1- and HCV/HIV/HTLV-1-co-infected patients presenting the highest values. Conversely, females and HCV/HTLV-2-co-infected patients exhibited lower HCV loads. Overall, HCV viremia is increased in HIV and/or HTLV-1-co-infection and decreased in HTLV-2 co-infection.

Comparative performances of serologic and molecular assays for detecting human T lymphotropic virus type 1 and type 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)

ABSTRACT The present study evaluated several techniques currently available (commercial kits and in-house assays) for diagnosing human T lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 in two groups of patients enrolled at HIV/AIDS specialized care services in São Paulo: Group 1 (G1), n = 1608, 1237 male/371 female, median age 44.3 years old, majority using highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); G2, n = 1383, 930 male/453 female, median age of 35.6 years old, majority HAART naïve. Enzyme immunoassays [(EIA) Murex and Gold ELISA] were employed for human T lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 screening; Western blotting (WB), INNO-LIA (LIA), real-time PCR pol (qPCR), and nested-PCR-RFLP (tax) were used to confirm infection. Samples were considered human T lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 positive when there was reactivity using at least one of the four confirmatory assays. By serological screening, 127/2991 samples were positive or borderline, and human T lymphotropic virus infection was confirmed in 108 samples (three EIA-borderline): 56 human T lymphotropic virus type 1 [G1 (27) + G2 (29)]; 45 human T lymphotropic virus type 2 [G1 (21) + G2 (24)]; one human T lymphotropic virus type 1 + human T lymphotropic virus type 2 (G2); six human T lymphotropic virus [G1 (2) + G2 (4)]. Although there were differences in group characteristics, human T lymphotropic viruses types 1 and 2 prevalence was similar [3.1% (G1) and 4.2% (G2), p = 0.113]. The overall sensitivities of LIA, WB, qPCR, and PCR-RFLP were 97.2%, 82.4%, 68.9%, and 68.4%, respectively, with some differences among groups, likely due to the stage of human T lymphotropic virus infection and/or HAART duration. Indeterminate immunoblotting results were detected in G2, possibly due to the seroconversion period. Negative results in molecular assays could be explained by the use of HAART, the occurrence of defective provirus and/or the low circulating proviral load. In conclusion, when determining the human T lymphotropic virus infection, the findings highlight that there is a need to consider the blood samples with borderline results in screening assays. Of all the tested assays, LIA was the assay of choice for detecting human T lymphotropic virus type 1 and human T lymphotropic virus type 2 in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected patients.

Short communication: failures in detecting HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 in patients infected with HIV-1

Changes in retrovirus acquisition/transmission behaviors have been reported in Brazil, with a concerning increase in HIV-1-infected individuals aged 15-39 years. In São Paulo, HIV-1/HTLV-1 and HIV-1/HTLV-2 coinfections have been associated with intravenous drug use and failure to detect HTLV-1/2 (human T cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2) with immunosuppression and the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Negative results for HTLV serologic [western blotting (WB)] and molecular [real-time PCR pol (qPCR)] confirmatory assays have been reported, whereas the best sensitivity has been found for INNO-LIA (LIA). In this study, we expand our previous data by analyzing a group of young patients (n = 1,383; median age 35.6 years) who recently acquired HIV by sexual contact, the majority of whom were HAART naïve, and comparing the performances of four HTLV confirmatory assays LIA, WB, qPCR, and PCR-RFLP (tax). We confirmed HTLV infection in 58 (4.2%) blood samples 29 HTLV-1, 24 HTLV-2, 1 HTLV-1+HTLV-2, and 4 HTLV. LIA, WB, qPCR, and PCR-RFLP sensitivities were 94.8%, 82.8%, 79.2%, and 74.5%, respectively. Associations of HTLV infection with female gender (OR = 2.28, 1.31-4.00) and age >40 years (p < .0001) were detected. The results confirm the low sensitivities of molecular assays and the best performance of LIA in detecting HTLV-1/2 in such patients. We hypothesize that the negative PCR results are due to the presence of defective provirus and/or low proviral load circulating in such patients, with inconclusive WB coinciding with the seroconversion period. Corroborating the associations obtained, repeated exposure is required for HTLV sexual transmission/acquisition, which is more efficient from male to female

Seroepidemiology of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infection in Neyshabur City, North-Eastern Iran, during 2010-2014

Background: Retroviruses of human T-lymphotropic viruses [HTLV-1 and HTLV-2] have been demonstrated to be endemic in the north-eastern region of Iran. This study was aimed to determine the HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 prevalence among healthy individuals in Neyshabur City during 2010-2014

Methods: A total of 8054 blood samples were collected from healthy participants in Neyshabur, North-Eastern Iran. The blood samples were screened for the presence of specific antibodies against HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 by using ELISA according to the manufacturer's instructions

Results: The overall seropositivity rate for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 was found to be 6.55% [528 out of 8054] among participants

Conclusion: Both HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 were demonstrated to be at a high rate in healthy individuals. However, a smaller number of asymptomatic carriers were found in this study, as compared to those identified in previous investigations in the city

Desafios no diagnóstico da infecção pelos Vírus Linfotrópicos de Células T Humanas do tipo 1 e tipo 2 (HTLV-1 e HTLV-2) em pacientes infectados com o HIV-1 / Challenges in the diagnosis of Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 and type 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) infection in patients infected with HIV-1

Desde a década de 90 o Instituto Adolfo Lutz de São Paulo (IAL) tem realizado o diagnóstico da infecção por Vírus Linfotrópicos de Células T Humanas dos tipos 1 e 2 (HTLV-1 e HTLV-2) e, desde então, têm sido reportadas as dificuldades principalmente no diagnóstico de HTLV-2, em especial em pacientes infectados pelo HIV-1. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar várias técnicas de diagnóstico disponíveis no momento atual (kits comerciais e testes in house) e estabelecer o melhor algoritmo para ser empregado no diagnóstico de pacientes infectados pelo HIV-1. A população analisada foi composta por dois grupos provenientes de Serviços de Assistência Especializados em HIV/AIDS de São Paulo: um pioneiro [Grupo 1 (G1), n=1.608] e outro com histórico mais recente [Grupo 2 (G2), n=1.383]. Ambos os grupos foram formados, na maioria, por indivíduos do sexo masculino... (AU).

Since the 90 decade, the Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL) has performed the diagnosis of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus type 1 and type 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2), and thenceforth the difficulties in diagnosing HTLV-2 have been reported, mostly in HIV-infected patients. The present study aimed at evaluating the several diagnostic techniques currently available (commercial kits and in-house assays), and to establish the best algorithm to be employed for diagnosing HTLV-1/-2 in patients infected with HIV-1. The study population was composed by two patient groups attended at HIV/AIDS specialized services care in São Paulo: the pioneer one [Group 1 (G1), n=1,608], and the other with the most recent historical health setting [Group 2 (G2), n=1,383. The majority of the both groups were composed by male patients...(AU).

Padronização do critério de exclusão para o vírus HTLV I e II nos bancos de olhos do Brasil / Standardization of the exclusion criteria for the HTLV I and II in brazilian eye banks

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar em quais Bancos de olhos do Brasil o HTLV I e II é utilizado como critério de exclusão para córnea. Atualmente a legislação brasileira pela Lei nº 9.434/97 e Portaria 2600/09 determina que a cada doação devem ser realizados, obrigatoriamente, testes laboratoriais de triagem de alta sensibilidade, para detecção de marcadores para doenças infecciosas transmissíveis pelo sangue: Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana (HIV), Vírus da Hepatite B (HbsAg), Anticorpo do Vírus da Hepatite B (AntiHBs), Anticorpo do Vírus da Hepetite B total (Anti-HBc total) e Vírus da Hepatite C (Anti-HCV), no entanto, o Capítulo VI, art. 47, alínea a exclui o Vírus Linfotrópico das Células T-Humanas (HTLV) como critério de exclusão para doadores de córnea. Métodos: Para a realização da pesquisa, foram analisadas as informações de 35 Bancos de Olhos pela base de dados da Central de Transplante da Paraíba, avaliados através do Teste de Homogeneidade do Qui-Quadrado. Resultados: Constatou-se que a sorologia positiva para HTLV I e II foi considerada critério de exclusão em 18 dos 35 Bancos de Olhos analisados. Quanto à análise geográfica dos Bancos de Olhos do Brasil, os da região Nordeste e Sul foram os que mais consideraram o HTLV como critério de exclusão. Conclusão: Os Bancos de Olhos analisados não apresentaram diferença ou associação significativa entre os que consideram e os que não consideram este critério, mostrando, desta forma, não haver uma padronização entre os Bancos de Olhos do Brasil.

ABSTRACT Objective: Investigate in which eye banks in Brazil the HTLV I and II is used as exclusion criteria for cornea. Nowadays Brazilian Legislation, through Law nº 9.434/97 and Ordinance 2600/09 determines that for each donation, laboratory screening tests of high sensibility must be done mandatorily for detection of markers of infectious diseases transmissible by blood: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HbsAg), Antibody of the Hepatitis B Virus (AntiHBs), Antibody of total Hepatitis B Virus (total Anti- HBc) and Hepatitis C Virus (Anti-HCV), however, paragraph a of Chapter VI, Art. 47 excludes the HTLV as exclusion criteria for cornea donors. Methods: For the realization of this research, information from 35 eye banks was analyzed, through the database of the Transplant Central of Paraiba, evaluated through the Chi-Square Homogeneity Test. Results: It was observed that the positive serology for HTLV I and II was considered exclusion criteria in 18 of the 35 eye banks analyzed. In relation to the geographic analysis of the Eye Banks in Brazil, the ones in the Northeastern and Southern regions were the ones that most considered the HTLV as exclusion criteria. Conclusion: The analyzed Eye Banks did not present difference or significant association between the ones that consider and the ones that do not consider this criterion, showing, this way, that there is not a standardization among the Eye Banks in Brazil.

Origin and prevllence of human t-lymphotropic vrus type 1 (htlv-1) and type 2 (htlv-2) among indigenous populations in the americas / Origem e prevalência do vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas em populações indígenas das Américas

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is found in indigenous peoples of the Pacific Islands and the Americas, whereas type 2 (HTLV-2) is widely distributed among the indigenous peoples of the Americas, where it appears to be more prevalent than HTLV-1, and in some tribes of Central Africa. HTLV-2 is considered ancestral in the Americas and is transmitted to the general population and injection drug users from the indigenous population. In the Americas, HTLV-1 has more than one origin, being brought by immigrants in the Paleolithic period through the Bering Strait, through slave trade during the colonial period, and through Japanese immigration from the early 20th century, whereas HTLV-2 was only brought by immigrants through the Bering Strait. The endemicity of HTLV-2 among the indigenous people of Brazil makes the Brazilian Amazon the largest endemic area in the world for its occurrence. A review of HTLV-1 in all Brazilian tribes supports the African origin of HTLV-1 in Brazil. The risk of hyperendemicity in these epidemiologically closed populations and transmission to other populations reinforces the importance of public health interventions for HTLV control, including the recognition of the infection among reportable diseases and events.

O vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas do tipo 1 (HTLV-1) é encontrado em populações indígenas de países do Pacífico e Américas enquanto o tipo 2 (HTLV-2) é amplamente distribuído entre as populações indígenas das Américas, nas quais aparenta ser mais prevalente que o HTLV-1, e em algumas tribos da África Central, sendo considerado ancestral nas Américas e transmitido à população geral e de usuários de drogas injetáveis a partir da população indígena. No continente americano o HTLV-1 teria mais de uma origem, sendo trazido na era paleolítica pelos imigrantes através do estreito de Bering, através do tráfico de escravos no período colonial e com a imigração japonesa a partir do início do século XX, enquanto para o HTLV-2 teria sido trazido pelos imigrantes através do estreito de Bering. A endemicidade do HTLV-2 entre os indígenas do Brasil tornam a região amazônica brasileira a maior área endêmica do mundo para sua ocorrência e a revisão da infecção pelo HTLV-1 em todas as tribos brasileiras apoiam a origem africana do HTLV-1 no Brasil. O risco de hiperendemicidade nestas populações epidemiologicamente fechadas e de transmissão a outras populações reforçam a importância de medidas no âmbito da saúde pública para seu controle, incluindo o reconhecimento da infecção entre os agravos e eventos de notificação compulsória.

Aspectos neuroepidemiológicos de la infección por HTLV-1/2 en comunidades amazónicas peruanas / Neuro-epidemiological aspects of the infection by HTLV - 1 and 2 in the Peruvian Amazon communities

Objetivo: Determinar la seroprevalencia, factores de riesgo y manifestaciones neurológicas de la infección por HTLV -1 y -2 en comunidades Amazónicas de Pucallpa. Métodos: 878 sujetos pertenecientes a la etnia Shipibo-Konibo de Pucallpa - Perú, con edades entre los 15 a 64 años fueron entrevistados y tamizados para la presencia de HTLV-1 y HTLV-2 en la primera fase del estudio. Los sujetos ELISA reactivos fueron confirmados por Western blot y PCR. En la segunda fase del estudio, los sujetos HTLV-1 y HTLV-2 positivos fueron examinados para investigar manifestaciones neurológicas de la infección por HTLV. Resultados: La prevalencia combinada de HTLV-1 Y HTLV-2 fue de 10.7 por ciento entre los participantes. La infección por HTLV-1 y HTLV-2 fue detectada en 56 (6.4 por ciento) y 35 (4 por ciento) participantes respectivamente. Tres (0.3 por ciento) participantes tenían co-infección con ambos HTLV-1 y HTL V-2. La infección por HTLV fue más frecuente en mujeres y en individuos de mayor edad. En el análisis bivariado, la edad mayor de 38 años (p<0.001) y una educación formal de 7 años o menos (p=0.03) estaba estadísticamente asociada con la infección por HTLV. El analfabetismo (p=0.03) estaba estadísticamente asociado solo con la infección por HTLV-2. Las participantes infectadas con HTLV-2 tenían más embarazos que aquellas seronegativas (p=0.007); sin embargo, no se halló diferencias ni entre el número de parejas sexuales ni la edad de inicio de relaciones sexuales. En la regresión logística, la edad (p=0.01, OR = 1.03, IC 95 por ciento: 1.007 - 1.05) y el haber convivido o haber estado casado (p<0.022, OR = 4.8, IC 95 por ciento: 1.26 - 18.3) fueron las únicas variables asociadas con la infección por HTLV- 1. Para HTLV-2, la edad era la única variable asociada con la infección (p<0.0001, OR = 1.06, IC 95 por ciento: 1.03 - 1.10). De los 94 participantes HTLV positivos, solo 50 pudieron ser evaluados neurológicamente, de ellos ninguno cumplió criterios clínicos...

Objective: To determine the seroprevalence, risk factors and neurological manifestations of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections in Peruvian Amazonian communities. Methods: Eight hundred and seventy-eight inhabitants of Shipibo-Konibo communities from Pucallpa, Peru aged 15 to 64 years were interviewed and screened for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections in the first phase of the study. ELISA-reactive sera were confirmed via Western blot and PRC. In the second phase of the study, HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 positive participants were screened for neurological manifestations of HTLV infection. Results: The combined HTLV-1 and -2 prevalence was 10.7 per cent among Shipibo-Konibo inhabitants. HTLV-1 and -2 infection was detected in 56 (6.4 per cent) and 35 (4.0 per cent) participants respectively. Three (0.3 per cent) participants were co-infected with both HTLV-1 and -2. HTLV infection was more common in females and older individuals. On bivariate analysis, age older than 38 years (p<0.001) and formal education of 7 years or less (p=0.03) were significantly associated with HTLV infection. Illiteracy (p=0.03) was significantly associated only with HTLV-2 infection. HTLV-2 infected women had more pregnancies than uninfected participants (P=0.007); however, no differences neither in number of sexual partners nor age of initiation of sexual intercourse were found. In logistic regression, age was the only variable significantly associated with HTLV-1 (P<0.001, OR = 1.04, 95 per cent CI: 1.02 - 1.06) and HTLV-2 (P<0.001, OR = 1.07, 95 per cent CI: 1.04 - 1.10) infections. Only 50 of 94 participants were assessed neurologically; however, any of them fulfilled clinical criteria for HTLV -associated myelopathy. Conclusions: HTLV-1 and -2 infections are endemic among Peruvian Amazonian Communities. Although only 50 participants were assessed neurologically and none of this developed symptomatic HTLV infection, strategies oriented to prevent virus transmission are needed. Factors influencing...

Comparação de testes laboratoriais para o diagnóstico de infecção por vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas do tipo 1 (HTLV-1)e tipo 2 (HTLV-2) em pacientes infectados por HIV-1 / Comparison of laboratorial tests for the diagnosis of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) in HIV-1 infected patients

O presente estudo pesquisou o melhor algoritmo de testes laboratoriais para efetuar o diagnóstico de infecção por vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas dos tipos 1 (HTLV-1) e 2 (HTLV-2) em pacientes HIV-1 positivos. Amostras de sangue de 1.608 pacientes do CRT DST/Aids-SP foram analisadas quanto à presença de anticorpos específicos usando-se dois ensaios de triagem (EIA Murex HTLV-I+II e Gold ELISA HTLV-I/II), dois confirmatórios [HTLV Blot 2.4 (Western Blot – WB) e INNO-LIA HTLV I/II (Line ImmunoAssay - LIA)] e um molecular (PCR em tempo real pol). Na triagem foram detectados 51(Murex) e 49 (Gold ELISA) soros reagentes. Pelo WB, 23 soros confirmaram infecção por HTLV-1, 12 HTLV-2, seis HTLV e nove apresentaram perfis indeterminados. O LIA detectou 24 soros HTLV-1 positivos, 20 HTLV-2 e seis HTLV. A PCR evidenciou segmento pol de HTLV-1 em 18 e HTLV-2 em 12 amostras de sangue. Pelos testes confirmatórios, em 50 pacientes foi confirmada a infecção por HTLV: 25 HTLV-1 (1,55 %), 21 HTLV-2 (1,31 %) e quatro HTLV (0,25 %). As sensibilidades do LIA, WB e PCR foram de 96 %, 76 % e 60 %, respectivamente. Considerando-se apenas o custo, o melhor algoritmo diagnóstico para população infectada pelo HIV-1 foi o uso da PCR seguida do LIA...