RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Central Africa is one of the largest areas of high endemicity for human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1). However, no preventive measures are yet implemented to reduce its transmission, which can be sexual, from mother-to-child, or through contaminated blood products. Rare zoonotic transmissions from nonhuman primates (NHPs) have also been reported in this region. Here we investigated the HTLV-1 prevalence and associated risk factors in a rural population in Cameroon. METHODS: From 2019 to 2021, we performed a cross-sectional survey in the eastern region of Cameroon. HTLV-1 infection was first screened by ELISA, then tested by western blot and envelope gene targeted polymerase chain reaction. Risk factors associated with HTLV-1 infection were identified by logistic regression in univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Among 3400 participants, HTLV-1 prevalence was 1.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], .7-1.5). Factors independently associated with HTLV-1 infection were Pygmy ethnicity (adjusted odd ratio [aOR], 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3-6.2), history of surgery (aOR, 6.3; 95% CI, 2.2-17.8), and NHP bite (aOR, 6.6; 95% CI, 2.2-19.8). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest both iatrogenic and zoonotic transmission of HTLV-1 in Cameroon. Further studies are needed to assess the risk of nosocomial transmission of HTLV-1, to guide public health authorities in implementing preventive measures to control HTLV-1 transmission.
Assuntos
Infecção Hospitalar , Infecções por HTLV-I , Vírus Linfotrópico T Tipo 1 Humano , Leucemia de Células T , Animais , Humanos , Feminino , Vírus Linfotrópico T Tipo 1 Humano/genética , População Rural , Estudos Transversais , Transmissão Vertical de Doenças Infecciosas , África Central/epidemiologia , Infecções por HTLV-I/epidemiologiaRESUMO
A high (11.8%) level of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was found among 524 Pygmies in Cameroon, whereas the extent of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the same population was low (0.6%). Phylogenetic analyses showed cocirculation of two HBV genotypes, HBV-A3 and -E. Taken together, our results suggest different epidemiological scenarios concerning HBV and HCV infections in this population.
