Infection and disease caused by the human T cell lymphotropic viruses type I and II in Brazil

HTLV-I/II infection is present in all regions of Brazil, but its prevalence varies according to the geographical area, being higher in Bahia, Pernambuco and Pará. It has been estimated that Brazil has the highest absolute number of infected individuals in the world. Blood donors screening and resear...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 2002-09, Vol.35 (5), p.499
Main Authors: Carneiro-Proietti, Anna Bárbara F, Ribas, João Gabriel Ramos, Catalan-Soares, Bernadette C, Martins, Marina L, Brito-Melo, Gustavo E A, Martins-Filho, Olindo A, Pinheiro, Sônia R, Araújo, Abelardo de Queiroz-Campos, Galvão-Castro, Bernardo, de Oliveira, Maria S Pombo, Guedes, Antônio Carlos, Proietti, Fernando Augusto
Format: Article
Language:eng ; por
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Blood
Brazil - epidemiology
Breast feeding
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
HTLV-I Infections - diagnosis
HTLV-I Infections - epidemiology
HTLV-I Infections - immunology
HTLV-I Infections - therapy
HTLV-II Infections - diagnosis
HTLV-II Infections - epidemiology
HTLV-II Infections - immunology
HTLV-II Infections - therapy
Human T-lymphotropic virus 1
Human T-lymphotropic virus 2
Humans
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Male
Middle Aged
Pregnancy
Prevalence
Risk Factors
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Summary:HTLV-I/II infection is present in all regions of Brazil, but its prevalence varies according to the geographical area, being higher in Bahia, Pernambuco and Pará. It has been estimated that Brazil has the highest absolute number of infected individuals in the world. Blood donors screening and research conducted with special groups (indigenous population of Brazil, IV drug users and pregnant women) are the major sources of information about these viruses in our Country. HTLV-I causes adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), HTLV associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), HTLV associated uveitis (HAU), dermatological and immunological abnormalities. HTLV-II is not consistently associated with any disease. Diagnosis is established using screening (enzymatic assays, agglutination) and confirmatory (Western blot, PCR) tests. The viruses are transmitted by blood and contaminated needles, by sexual relations and from mother to child, especially by breast feeding. Prevention efforts should focus on education of positive blood donors, infected mothers and IV drug users.
ISSN:0037-8682
1678-9849
DOI:10.1590/S0037-86822002000500013