BackgroundThere is difficulty in gathering data on the prevalence of human T-cell
lymphotropic virus in blood donors as confirmatory testing is not mandatory in
Brazil. This suggests there may be an underreporting of the prevalence. ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 in
donors of a blood bank in Caruaru, Brazil. MethodsThis was an observational, epidemiological, descriptive, longitudinal and
retrospective study with information about the serology of donors of the Caruaru
Blood Center, Fundação de Hematologia e Hemoterapia de Pernambuco (Hemope) from
May 2006 to December 2010. The data were analyzed using the Excel 2010 computer
program (Microsoft Office®). ResultsOf 61,881 donors, 60 (0.096%) individuals were identified as potential carriers of
human T-cell lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2. Of these, 28 (0.045%) were positive
and 32 (0.051%) had inconclusive results in the serological screening. Forty-five
(0.072%) were retested; 17 were positive (0.027%) and 3 inconclusive (0.005%).
After confirmatory tests, 8 were positive (0.013%). Six (75%) of the confirmed
cases were women. ConclusionEpidemiological surveys like this are very important in order to create campaigns
to attract donors and reduce the costs of laboratory tests.
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