Human T-lymphotropic Virus infection among Quilombo communities in Central Brazil

Background: This study estimated the sociodemographic characteristics and prevalence of Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) infection among Afro-Brazilians in the two largest remnant Quilombo communities in Mato Grosso do Sul State.

Methods: Participants were interviewed from October 2015 to October 2016. Blood samples were collected and screened for anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit.

Results: No positive results for HTLV-1/2 infection were detected among the 316 screened samples.

Conclusions: These findings provide additional information on the sociodemographic characteristics and HTLV status of Quilombos in Mato Grosso do Sul State.