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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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...

Dried blood spot testing for the antenatal screening of HTLV, HIV, syphilis, toxoplasmosis and hepatitis B and C: prevalence, accuracy and operational aspects

Introduction: Screening for vertically transmitted infection is mandatory and must be conducted at the first prenatal consultation. The most vulnerable women's groups are those at the lowest socio-economic level. Dried blood spot testing on filter paper could represent a secure way to screen pregnant women in the prenatal period. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2009 and March 2010, in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, to compare the accuracy of the dried blood spot in filter paper and venipuncture serological as screening methods for HIV, HTLV, VHB, VHC, Treponema pallidum, and Toxoplasma gondii during prenatal period. Results of the venous blood sample collected in tubes were considered the gold standard. Results: Serum samples and dried blood spot were obtained from 692 pregnant women aged between 14 and 42 years, with a median age of 26. Thirteen women were seropositive for T. gondii (1.88%; 95% CI: 0.60–2.71%), five for T. pallidum (0.72%; 95% CI: 0.15–1.61%), two for HBV (0.29%; 95% CI: 0.050.95%) and one for HTLV-1 (0.14%; 95% CI: 0.01–0.71%). No one was positive for HCV and HIV. The dried blood spot accuracy for syphilis and HTLV were 100% (95% CI: 99.25–100) and 100% (95% CI: 99.45–100%), respectively. The average time between blood collection and recording of the sample in the reference laboratory was 4.93 (3.82) days and between dried blood spot processing and active search for pregnant women was 3.44 (4.27) days. Conclusions: The use of dried blood spot may represent a secure way to expedite access to results of vertically transmitted diseases in the prenatal period, particularly in regions with scarce healthcare resources. .

Occurrence of strongyloidiasis among patients with HTLV-1/2 seen at the outpatient clinic of the Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Belém, State of Pará, Brazil

Introduction This study investigated the occurrence of Strongyloides stercoralis infestation and coinfection with HTLV-1/2 in Belém, Brazil. Methods S. stercoralis was investigated in stool samples obtained from individuals infected with HTLV-1/2 and their uninfected relatives. Results The frequency of S. stercoralis was 9% (9/100), including six patients infected with HTLV-1 (14.3%), two patients infected with HTLV-2 (11.1%), and one uninfected relative. Two cases of hyperinfestation by S. stercoralis were characterized as HTLV-1. Conclusions These results support the need for the routine investigation of S. stercoralis in patients with HTLV-1, in an attempt to prevent the development of severe forms of strongyloidiasis. .

Detección de virus linfotrópico de células T humano-I/II en pacientes con enfermedades de transmisión sexual de Santiago / Human T-lymphotropic virus I/II detection in Chilean patients from Sexually Transmitted Diseases clinics

Background: The human T-lymphotropic virus I (HTLV-I) causes spastic para-paresis and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. It can be sexually transmitted and is highly prevalent in Central and South America. Aim: To study HTLV-I/IIprevalence in serum samples obtained from two Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) clinics. Material and Methods: Two hundred serum samples were randomly chosen from two reference STD centers of Santiago. The presence of specific HTLV I/II antibodies was detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Results: The analyzed samples came from participants aged 14 to 70 years. Forty nine percent were women and 76% were heterosexual. Only one of the 200 samples was positive (0.5%) and it came from a 70 year-old woman, housewife, with a stable single partner, a history of recurrent genital ulcers, VDRL (-) and positive serology for herpes simplex virus. Conclusions: The prevalence of HTLV-I found in this group is similar to that demonstrated in other populations in Chile, except for aboriginal populations, and similar to international STD studies. Our data is consistent with the low transmissibility by sexual contact.

Descriptive study of HTLV infection in a population of pregnant women from the state of Pará, Northern Brazil / Estudo descritivo da infecção pelo HTLV em uma população de gestantes do Estado do Pará, norte do Brasil

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, studies have shown that HTLV seroprevalence among pregnant women varies from 0 to 1.8%. However, this seroprevalence was unknown in the State of Pará, Brazil. The present study describes, for the first time, the HTLV seroprevalence among pregnant women from the State of Pará, Northern Brazil. METHODS: 13,382 pregnant women were submitted to HTLV screening during prenatal care, and those with non-seronegative results to anti-HTLV were submitted to Western blot (WB) test to confirm and separate HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 carriers. RESULTS: HTLV seroprevalence in the population of pregnant women was 0.3%, and HTLV-1 was identified in 95.3% of patients. The demographic profile of HTLV carriers was as follows: women with age between 20 and 40 years old (78.4%); residing in the metropolitan region of Belém, Pará (67.6%); and with educational level of high school (56.8%). Other variables related to infection were as follows: beginning of sexual intercourse between the age of 12 and 18 years old (64.9%) and have being breastfed for more than 6 months (51.4%). Most of the women studied had at least two previous pregnancies (35.1%) and no abortion (70.3%). Coinfections (syphilis and HIV) were found in 10.8% (4/37) of these pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence of HTLV infection in pregnant women assisted in basic health units from the State of Pará, Northern Brazil, was 0.3% similar to those described in other Brazilian studies. The variables related to infection were important indicators in identifying pregnant women with a higher tendency to HTLV seropositivity, being a strategy for disease control and prevention, avoiding vertical transmission.

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil, estudos mostram que a soroprevalência do HTLV entre gestantes varia de 0 a 1,8%. Contudo, esta soroprevalência era desconhecida no Estado do Pará, Brasil. O presente estudo descreve, pela primeira vez, a soroprevalência do HTLV entre gestantes do Estado do Pará, Norte do Brasil. MÉTODOS: 13,382 gestantes foram submetidas à triagem para HTLV durante o pré-natal, e aquelas com sorologia alterada para anti-HTLV foram submetidas ao teste de Western Blot (WB), para confirmar e discriminar portadoras do HTLV-1 e do HTLV-2. RESULTADOS: A soroprevalência do HTLV na população de gestantes foi de 0,3%, sendo o HTLV-1 identificado em 95,3% das pacientes. O perfil demográfico das portadoras do HTLV foi de: mulheres com idade entre 20-40 anos (78,4%); residentes na região metropolitana de Belém (67,6%) e com nível educacional igual ao ensino médio (56,8%). Outras variáveis relacionadas à infecção foram: início das relações sexuais compreendido entre 12-18 anos (64,9%), e ter sido aleitada mais de 6 meses (51,4%). A maior parte das mulheres estudadas teve ao menos duas gestações anteriores (35,1%); e nenhum aborto (70,3%). Co-infecções (sífilis e HIV) foram descritas em 10,8% (4/37) das gestantes. A soroprevalência da infecção pelo HTLV em gestantes atendidas em Unidades Básicas de Saúde do Estado do Pará, Norte do Brasil foi de 0,3% semelhante à descrita em outros estudos brasileiros. As variáveis relacionadas com a infecção são indicadores importantes na identificação de gestantes com maior tendência a soropositividade pelo HTLV, sendo uma estratégia de controle e prevenção, evitando a transmissão vertical.

HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence and coinfection rate in Brazilian first-time blood donors: an 11-year follow-up / Soroprevalência e taxa de coinfecção do HTLV-1/2 em doadores de sangue de primeira vez brasileiros: 11 anos de estudo

The seroprevalence and geographic distribution of HTLV-1/2 among blood donors are extremely important to transfusion services. We evaluated the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among first-time blood donor candidates in Ribeirão Preto city and region. From January 2000 to December 2010, 1,038,489 blood donations were obtained and 301,470 were first-time blood donations. All samples were screened with serological tests for HTLV-1/2 using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). In addition, the frequency of coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Chagas disease (CD) and syphilis was also determined. In-house PCR was used as confirmatory test for HTLV-1/2. A total of 296 (0.1%) first-time donors were serologically reactive for HTLV-1/2. Confirmatory PCR of 63 samples showed that 28 were HTLV-1 positive, 13 HTLV-2 positive, 19 negative and three indeterminate. Regarding HTLV coinfection rates, the most prevalent was with HBV (51.3%) and HCV (35.9%), but coinfection with HIV, CD and syphilis was also detected. The real number of HTLV-infected individual and coinfection rate in the population is underestimated and epidemiological studies like ours are very informative.

A soroprevalência e a distribuição geográfica do HTLV-1/2 entre os doadores de sangue são extremamente importantes para os serviços de transfusão. Neste trabalho, foi determinada a soroprevalência da infecção pelo HTLV-1/2 entre os doadores de sangue de primeira vez da cidade de Ribeirão Preto e região. No período de Janeiro de 2000 a Dezembro de 2010, 1.038.489 doações de sangue foram obtidas sendo 301.470 doações de primeira vez. Todas as amostras foram avaliadas com testes sorológicos para HTLV-1/2 usando ensaio imunoenzimático (EIA). Adicionalmente, a frequência de coinfecção com o vírus da hepatite B (HBV), vírus da hepatite C (HCV), vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV), doença de Chagas (CD) e sífilis também foi determinada. Adicionalmente, foi utilizada uma reação de PCR in-house como teste confirmatório para HTLV-1/2. Um total de 296 (0,1%) doadores de primeira vez foram sorologicamente reativos para HTLV-1/2. O PCR confirmatório de 63 amostras mostrou que 28 eram HTLV-1 positivas, 13 HTLV-2 positivas, 19 negativas e três indeterminadas. Em relação às taxas de coinfecção com HTLV1/2, a maior prevalência foi com HBV (51,3%) e HCV (35,9%), mas a coinfecção com HIV, CD e sífilis também foram detectadas. O número real de indivíduos infectados pelo HTLV-1 e a taxa de coinfecção na população é subestimado e estudos epidemiológicos como esse são muito informativos.

High prevalence of HTLV-1 and 2 viruses in pregnant women in São Luis, state of Maranhão, Brazil / Alta prevalência dos vírus HTLV-1 e 2 em gestantes de São Luis, estado do Maranhão, Brasil

INTRODUCTION: Human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is endemic in the Caribbean, Japan, South America and regions of Africa. HTLV-2 is present in Native American populations and associated with IV drug use in Europe and North America. In Brazil, it is estimated that 1.5 million people are infected with HTLV-1/2. The study objective was to determine HTLV-1/2 prevalence in pregnant women in the prenatal care from three public services in São Luis, State of Maranhão, Brazil, and to counsel seropositive women to reduce viral transmission. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to December 2008; women with age of 18 to 45 years, with low risk for sexually transmitted disease (STD) were invited to participate. Blood samples were collected in filter paper, and HTLV-1/2 immunoenzymatic test (ELISA) was performed as a screening test. Women with reactive results were submitted to peripheral venous blood collection for ELISA repetition, followed by Western blot (WB) and real-time PCR to confirm and discriminate the infection between virus types 1 and 2. RESULTS: Of the 2,044 women tested, seven (0.3%) were ELISA reactive and confirmed positive (four were HTLV-1, and three were HTLV-2). All positive women were oriented not to breastfeed their newborns. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the virus is present in high prevalence in that population. Further studies covering other segments of the population are necessary to better characterize the presence of HTLV-1/2 in Maranhão and to elicit measures to prevent its spread.

INTRODUÇÃO: O vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas tipo 1 (HTLV-1) é endêmico no Caribe, Japão, América do sul e regiões da África. O HTLV-2 está presente em populações indígenas das Américas e usuários de drogas injetáveis na Europa e América do Norte. No Brasil, estimase que 1,5 milhões de pessoas estejam infectadas pelo HTLV-1/2. O objetivo deste estudo foi de determinar a prevalência do HTLV-1/2 em gestantes atendidas no pré-natal de três serviços públicos em São Luis, Maranhão, e orientar as mulheres soropositivas para reduzir a transmissão viral. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, de fevereiro a dezembro de 2008, com gestantes de 18 a 45 anos, com baixo risco de doença sexualmente transmissível (DST). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas em papel filtro e submetidas à técnica de ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA) como teste de triagem para HTLV-1/2. As gestantes com resultado ELISA reativo foram submetidas à coleta de sangue venoso periférico para repetição do ELISA, seguido por WB e PCR em tempo real para confirmar e discriminar a infecção pelos tipos virais. RESULTADOS: Das 2.044 mulheres examinadas, sete (0.3%)tiveram resultados reativos e foram confirmadas soropositivas (quatro para HTLV-1 e três para HTLV-2). Todas as sete gestantes foram orientadas a não dar leite materno aos filhos. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo mostrou que o HTLV-1/2 está presente em alta prevalência na população das mulheres grávidas estudadas. São necessários outros estudos contemplando diferentes segmentos populacionais para caracterizar a presença do HTLV-1/2 no Maranhão, e permitirmedidas preventivas contra a disseminação viral.

Infecções pelo vírus linfotrópico humano (HTLV) / Infections by human lymphotropic virus (HTLV)

No presente artigo são revistos os aspectos clínicos das infecções pelo HTLV-I e HTLV-II.

In the present paper the clinical aspects of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections are reviewed.

HTLV II em doadores de sangue na Hemorrede do Ceará - HEMOCE / HTLV-II in blood donors at the Blood Center Net of Ceará - HEMOCE

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do trabalho foi identificar a prevalência do HTLV-II em doadores de sangue da Hemorrede do Ceará e aspectos epidemiológicos de casos positivos. MÉTODOS: Foram levantados em bancos de dados os casos considerados positivos, através de método Imunoenzimático (ELISA) e confirmados pelo Western Blot, no período de 2001 a 2008. Foram identificados que 679.610 amostras de sangue de doadores voluntários foram testadas neste período. RESULTADOS: Do total de doadores, 164 amostras foram efetivamente positivas em ambos os testes, destes 33 (20,1 por cento) foram tipadas como HTLV II, mostrando uma prevalência do último de 0,006 por cento. Nos casos positivos, observou-se idade média de 28,2 anos, o sexo predominantemente masculino (54,5 por cento), a cor foi considerada mulato/parda em 78,8 por cento, a maioria procedia de Fortaleza (72,7 por cento), sendo 51,5 por cento casados/união consensual e 33,3 por cento referiam ter ensino médio completo. CONCLUSÃO: Embora a infecção por HTLV-II seja baixa, sua presença é universal, sendo semelhante entre homens e mulheres, em sua maioria de centro urbano. É enfatizada a necessidade de medidas de prevenção como forma de evitar a expansão da infecção.

OBJECTIVE: To identify HTLV-II revalence in blood donors at the Blood Center Net of Ceará (Hemorrede do Ceará - HEMOCE) and epidemiological aspects of positive cases. METHODS: Cases considered positive were surveyed from data bases through the immunoenzymatic method ELISA and confirmed by Western Blot from 2001 to 2008. In this period, 679,610 blood samples from voluntary donors were tested. RESULTS: From all donors, 164 samples were actually positive in both tests; of these, 33 (20.1 percent) were typed as HTLV-II, showing a prevalence of 0.006 percent. In positive cases, a mean age 28.2 years, and a predominantly male gender (54.5 percent) were observed, the race was mixed in 78.8 percent, most donors had Fortaleza as hometown (72.7 percent), with 51.5 percent being married/consensual union, and 33.3 percent reported to have completed high school education. CONCLUSION: Although HTLV-II infection is low, its presence is universal, being similar in males and females mostly in urban centers. The need of preventive measures as a way of avoiding infection spread is stressed.

Decline in prevalence and asymmetric distribution of human T cell lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 in blood donors, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, 1993 to 2007 / Declínio na prevalência e distribuição assimétrica do vírus linfotrópico de células T humanas em doadores de sangue, Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, 1993 a 2007

INTRODUCTION: Human T cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) are endemic in Brazil and are screened for in transfusion services since 1993. This study evaluated the evolution of the prevalence of HTLV-1 and 2 in blood donors of the Hemominas Foundation from 1993 to 2007, and its geographical distribution in State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. METHODS: The Hemominas Foundation is a centralized blood center in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The sources of data were the Hemominas Foundation Technical Bulletin and files from the centralized serological laboratory. Donors were tested in the period using enzyme linked immuno sorbent assays (ELISA), followed by Western blot, when repeatedly reactive. The data were analyzed by EPIINFO 6.2 and TABWIN 3.5 softwares. RESULTS: The average seroprevalence in the period 1993-2007 was 0.1 percent. A steady decline occurred from 0.4 percent in 1993 to below 0.1 percent in 2002 and later, with a transient peak of 0.5 percent in 1994. HTLV reactivity distribution was asymmetrical in the state, with regions of higher prevalence, interspersed with low prevalence areas. Comparison of positive and negative donors verified that increasing age was proportional to virus positivity. Odds ratio for age ranged from 1.43 (30 to 39 years-old) to 3.09 (50 to 65 years-old). Women had a greater chance of being positive (OR-1.64), as previously described. CONCLUSIONS: Possible explanations for HTLV-1/2 prevalence decline are the exclusion of positive donors from the donor pool, an increase in repeat donors and ELISA test improvement, with reduction in the number of false positive results.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas 1 e 2 (HTLV-1/2) são endêmicos no Brasil e são testados nos serviços de transfusão desde 1993. Este estudo avaliou a evolução da prevalência do HTLV-1 e 2 em doadores de sangue da Hemominas, de 1993 a 2007, bem como sua distribuição geográfica no Estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil. MÉTODOS: A Hemominas é um serviço transfusional centralizado em Minas Gerais, Brasil. As fontes de dados foram o Boletim Técnico da Fundação Hemominas, e os dados informatizados do laboratório central de sorologia. Os doadores foram testados no período utilizando ensaio enzimático (ELISA), seguido de Western blot, para confirmação, se repetidamente reagentes. Os dados foram analisados utilizando EPIINFO 6.2 e TABWIN 3.5. RESULTADOS: A prevalência media no período 1993-2007 foi de 0,1 por cento. Houve declínio contínuo de 0,4 por cento em 1993 para menos de 0,1 por cento de 2002 em diante, com um pico transitório de 0,5 por cento em 1994. A distribuição do HTLV foi assimétrica, com alternância de regiões de alta e baixa prevalências. A comparação entre doadores positivos e negativos mostrou que a idade aumenta a positividade para o vírus. A OR para idade variou de 1,43 (30 a 39 anos) a 3,09 (50 a 65 anos). As mulheres tiveram chance maior de ser positivas (OR-1,64), como descrito anteriormente. CONCLUSÕES: As possíveis explicações para o declínio do HTLV-1/2 foram a exclusão de doadores positivos, aumento nos doadores de repetição, e melhora nos testes de ELISA, com redução do número de testes falso positivos.

Declínio da prevalência do HTLV-1/2 em doadores de sangue do Hemocentro Regional da Cidade de Uberaba, Estado de Minas Gerais, 1995 a 2008 / Decline in the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 among blood donors at the Regional Blood Center of the City of Uberaba, State of Minas Gerais, from 1995 to 2008

INTRODUCÃO: Estudo retrospectivo com o objetivo de avaliar a prevalência e fatores associados à soropositividade para o HTLV-1/2, no período de 1995 a 2008, no Hemocentro Regional de Uberaba e descrever os doadores soropositivos quanto ao gênero, idade, estado civil, cor de pele e procedência. MÉTODOS: Foram realizados análise estatística descritiva, testes qui-quadrado e odds ratio para comparação de proporções e gráfico de dispersão com coeficiente de correlação linear. RESULTADOS: Dentre x doadores testados, foi encontrada a prevalência de sorologia positiva para o HTLV de 0,02 por cento e indeterminada de 0,09 por cento. Houve uma redução significativa da sorologia positiva para HTLV, no período de 2002 a 2008, em comparação ao período de 1995 a 2001. Dentre os soropositivos, observou predomínio significante no gênero feminino. CONCLUSÕES: Imputamos a queda gradativa de soropositividade no período à exclusão permanente dos doadores de repetição soropositivos e ao aprimoramento dos métodos de triagem clínica e dos testes sorológicos ao longo dos anos com reflexos positivos na segurança transfusional.

INTRODUCTION: A retrospective study was conducted in order to assess the prevalence and factors associated with seropositivity for HTLV-1/2 between 1995 and 2008 in Uberaba Regional Blood Center, and to describe the seropositive blood donors in relation to gender, age, marital status, skin color and origin. METHODS: Descriptive statistical analysis, chi-square tests and odds ratios were produced to compare proportions, along with scatter charts with linear correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Among the donors tested, the prevalence of seropositivity for HTLV was found to be 0.02 percent, with indeterminate results in 0.09 percent. There was a significant reduction in seropositivity for HTLV between 2002 and 2008, compared with the period from 1995 to 2001. Among the seropositive individuals, females were significantly predominant. CONCLUSIONS: The gradual decrease in seropositivity over this period was attributed to the permanent exclusion of seropositive repeat donors and improvement in the clinical screening methods and serological tests over the years, with a positive impact on transfusion safety.