Stable human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) subtype a/subgroup a endemicity in Amerindians from Northwest Argentina: a health problem to be resolved

J Med Virol. 2010 Dec;82(12):2116-22. doi: 10.1002/jmv.21834.

Abstract

Jujuy province, in Northwest Argentina, is known to be endemic for HTLV-1 infection. Moreover, foci of HTLV-1 associated pathologies have also been described in this region. To gain an insight into the current situation of HTLV-1/2 in this endemic area, a seroprevalence and phylogenetic study was performed among a Kolla community from Abra Pampa city and surroundings. Out of 112 individuals, 11 (9.8%) were confirmed as HTLV-1 positive and no HTLV-2 infection was detected. The phylogenetic analysis of the LTR region showed that all the HTLV-1 sequences belonged to the Cosmopolitan subtype a/transcontinental subgroup A, and were closely related to reference sequences from Peru, Argentina, and the South of Brazil (P = 0.82). Considering the cultural and historical features of this community and in spite of the mandatory detection of anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies in blood banks since 2005, it would be important to implement new public health measures focused on decreasing HTLV-1 transmission in this endemic area.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Argentina / ethnology
  • Endemic Diseases*
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-I Infections / ethnology*
  • HTLV-I Infections / virology
  • HTLV-II Infections / epidemiology
  • HTLV-II Infections / ethnology
  • HTLV-II Infections / virology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / classification
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / genetics*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / immunology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / isolation & purification
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / classification
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / genetics
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / immunology
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Indians, South American*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral