Detection of HTLV-IIa in blood donors in an urban area of the Amazon Region of Brazil (Belém, PA)

Abstract

The human lymphotropic viruses type I (HTLV-I) and type II (HTLV-II) are members of a group of mammalian retroviruses with similar biological properties, and blood transfusion is an important route of transmission. HTLV-I is endemic in a number of different geographical areas and is associated with several clinical disorders. HTLV-II is endemic in several Indian groups of the Americas and intravenous drug abusers in North and and a Western blot that discriminates HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection. Two HTLV-II positive samples were submitted to PCR analysis of pX and env genomic region, and confirmed to be of subtype IIa. This is the first detection in Belém of the presence of HTLV-IIa infection among blood donors. This result emphasizes that HTLV-II is also present in urban areas of the Amazon region of Brazil and highlights the need to include screening tests that ARTIGO Resumo Os vírus linfotrópicos de células T humanas tipo I (HTLV-I) e tipo II (HTLV-II) são membros de um grupo de retrovírus de mamíferos com propriedades biológicas similares que apresentam como uma das principais rotas de transmissão a transfusão sangüínea. O HTLV-I é endêmico em diferentes áreas geográficas e está associado a vários distúrbios clínicos. O HTLV-II é endêmico em vários grupos indígenas das Américas e em usuários de drogas intravenosas na América do

Definition of a diagnostic routine in individuals with inconclusive serology for chagas disease

“…This is also observed in other Brazilian and South American studies with samples portraying similar characteristics [5,18]. In Brazil, studies show that 62% to 97% of donors are males [22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. Also, the mean age of G2 and G3 individuals was similar to that of blood donation candidates found to be serologically positive for chagasic infection [29].…”

Familial Transmission of Human T-cell Lymphotrophic Virus: Silent Dissemination of an Emerging but Neglected Infection

“…The HTLV-2 virus is endemic in eastern Amazonia, where the highest known rates of infection have been recorded (up to 40%), especially in indigenous communities [29], although the virus is also present in Belém, where the 2a subtype has been identified [30]. Molecular studies indicate that HTLV-2 is spreading from the indigenous communities to both rural and urban areas [31], although the presence of this virus is significantly lower in other regions of Brazil.…”

Serological Evidence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II Coinfections in HIV-1 Positive Patients in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil

“…HTLV-II is largely disseminated in the Amazon region among several Indian communities (Ishak et al 1995) and only very recently the presence of that virus (subtype HTLV-IIa) has been detected in an urban community of the region among blood donors in Belém (Ishak et al 1998). Sequencing of the LTR region of the genome revealed a virus that clusters together with other HTLV-IIa that are endemic in the region (data not published).…”