Prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infections in Spain: A cross-sectional hospital-based survey

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2010 Aug;26(8):861-4. doi: 10.1089/aid.2009.0234.

Abstract

The presence of antibodies to human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) types 1 and 2 was examined in 5742 sera belonging to consecutive adult outpatients attended during June 2008 at 13 different hospitals across Spain. Overall, 58.8% were female. Foreigners represented 8% of the study population. Seven individuals were seropositive for HTLV-2 (overall prevalence 0.12%). No cases of HTLV-1 infection were found. All HTLV-2(+) subjects were Spanish natives, of whom six were coinfected with HIV-1 and five with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Moreover, all but one of the HTLV-2(+) subjects had been intravenous drug users. In summary, this cross-sectional survey suggests that the rate of HTLV infection in Spain is low, and is mostly represented by HTLV-2. Infected individuals are generally Spanish natives with a prior history of intravenous drug use and are coinfected with HIV-1 and/or HCV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV-1
  • HTLV-I Infections / complications
  • HTLV-I Infections / epidemiology*
  • HTLV-II Infections / complications
  • HTLV-II Infections / epidemiology*
  • Hepacivirus
  • Hepatitis C / complications
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 2
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, T-Cell
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Spain / epidemiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral