Emerging sexually transmitted viral infections: Review of human T-lymphotropic virus-1 disease

Abstract

Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 is a preventable sexually transmitted infection. In the majority of people it is asymptomatic, remaining undiagnosed and thereby contributing to its silent transmission. When it does manifest it causes significant morbidity and mortality. This review summarises the existing evidence for its role in sexual transmission and offers suggestions for those working in the area of sexual health. This is the third part of a series looking at novel sexually transmitted infections.

Recent Prevalence of Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Carrier Associated with Horizontal Transmission in Pregnant Japanese Women

“…Vertical transmission is most important route of HTLV-1 infection; however, horizontal (sexual) transmission may be also generally accepted as an important route of infection in adults (3)(4)(5)(6). Although transmission had been confirmed in infancy through breastfeeding, little was known about the epidemiological aspects of new HTLV-1 infections later in life.…”

Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 infection among Latin American pregnant women living in Spain

“…The virus is transmitted mostly cell-to-cell following exposure to contaminated biological fluids through sexual contact [ 6 , 7 ]; vertically from mother-to-child and breastfeeding [8] ; and parenterally, such as in injection drug users [9] , recipients of blood transfusions, or solid organ transplants [10] . Once acquired, HTLV-1 infection is lifelong [11] .…”

HTLV infection in persons with sexually transmitted diseases in Spain

“…HTLV-1 infection is highly endemic in parts of Latin America, Equatorial Africa, and Southern Japan (4,5). Sexual transmission is the most frequent mechanism of contagion (6). Transmission may also occur following parenteral exposure among injection drug users or recipients of contaminated blood or solid organ transplants (7,8).…”