Sequence analysis of the first HTLV-I infection in Germany without relations to endemic areas

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1998 Sep 1;14(13):1199-203. doi: 10.1089/aid.1998.14.1199.

Abstract

In most parts of Europe only a limited number of sporadic cases of HTLV-I infections have been identified. So far, the few cases found in Germany have always been linked to individuals with relations to endemic areas. Here we report the first HTLV-I infection from a German ATL patient without any known risk for HTLV-I infection and with no relations to known endemic areas. The DNA sequence of the provirus was determined, and a phylogenetic analysis based on the LTR sequence established a close relationship with HTLV-I sequences previously found in two Romanian patients. Our data suggest the existence of a previously unrecognized cluster of HTLV-I infections in southeastern or central Europe.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology
  • HTLV-I Infections / virology*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / genetics*
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / virology
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Viral