Serologic activity against HTLV-I in patients with primary sjogren's syndrome in Mashhad, an endemic area

ABSTRACT

There are accumulating evidences that Human T cell Leukemia Virus type I [HTLV-l] plays a part in the development of Sjogren's Syndrome [SS]. This virus is endemic in some areas of the world. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence rates of anti-HTLV-l in 55 patients in Mashhad and to determine whether any association between SS patients and HTLV-l could be observed. We recruited 21 patients with primary SS who consecutively attended our Rheumatology Clinic in Ghaem Hospital affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Mashhad, Northeastern Iran during May 1, 2005 to September 30, 2008. Serum samples were screened for HTLV-l, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. To compare the seroprevalence rates of HTLV-l found in SS patients with those in the community, we used the viral infection rates calculated for the entire population of blood donors in Mashhad by Blood Transfusion Organization. All patients with SS were negative by ELISA versus HTLV-I. This study demonstrates no prevalence of positivity for HTLV-1 in SS patients in Mashhad. These data are against the role of HTLV-I in the development of SS in our region