Serological evidence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II coinfections in HIV-1 positive patients in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The occurence of HTLV-I/II and HIV-1 coinfections have been shown to be frequent, probably in consequence of their similar modes of transmission. This paper presents the prevalence of coinfection of HTLV among HIV-1 infected and AIDS patients in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil. A group of 149 patients attending the AIDS Reference Unit of the State Department of Health was tested for the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I/II using an enzyme immunoassay and the positive reactions were confirmed with a Western blot that discriminates between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections. Four patients (2.7 per cent) were positive to HTLV-I, seven (4.7 per cent) to HTLV-II and one (0.7 per cent) showed an indeterminate pattern of reation. The present results show for the first time in Belém not only the occurrence of HTLV-II/HIV-1 coinfections, but also a higher prevalence of HTLV-II in relation to HTLV-I. Furthermore. it also enlarges the geographical limits of the endemic area for HTLV-II in the Amazon region of Brazil.