Human T-lymphotropic virus 1/2 infection among immigrants and refugees in Central Brazil, an emerging vulnerable population

Abstract

IntroductionMigratory flows play a significant role in the spread of human T-lymphotropic virus 1/2 (HTLV-1/2). In the last decade, a substantial migration of individuals occurred from Haiti and Venezuela to Brazil. However, data on the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection among these international migrants in Brazil are scarce. This study describes the prevalence of this infection among immigrants and refugees in Central Brazil.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 537 international migrants in the State of Goiás, Central Brazil. Participants were interviewed, and blood samples were collected. Serological screening for anti-HTLV-1/2 was performed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Murex HTLV-I + II, DiaSorin, Dartford, UK), and seropositive samples were submitted for confirmation by a line immunoassay (INNO-LIA HTLV I/II, Fujirebio, Europe N.V., Belgium).ResultsThe majority of participants were males (54.4%), between 18 and 50 years old (78%; mean age: 29.1 years), self-declared black (55.1%), reported 1 to 12 years of formal education (70.9%), and were either Venezuelans (47.9%) or Haitians (39.7%). Additionally, 50.1% were immigrants, 49% were refugees, and five were Brazilian children (0.9%) born to Haitian immigrant parents. The overall prevalence of anti-HTLV-1/2 was 0.95% (95% CI: 0.31–2.28), with HTLV-1 at 0.19% and HTLV-2 at 0.76%. All seropositive individuals (n = 5) were refugees from Venezuela, resulting in a rate of 2.26% for anti-HTLV-1/2, HTLV-1 (0.45%) and HTLV-2 (1.81%) among Venezuelan refugees. Of the demographic and behavioral characteristics evaluated, unprotected sexual intercourse and having more than one sexual partner (≥2) in the previous 12 months were associated with HTLV-1/2 seropositivity among Venezuelans.ConclusionThis study revealed, despite the low seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 among international migrants in Central Brazil, evidence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 infections in Venezuelan refugees. In addition, their characteristics highlight that specific social and health programs should be implemented for these emergent and socially vulnerable migrant groups.

Panorama do HTLV no Brasil: prevalência e diagnóstico ao Sistema Único de Saúde

“…A alta prevalência na Ámerica do Sul do HTLV I, provêm dos fluxos migratórios entre países descendentes de estrangeiros que buscavam planejamento familiar em países com tratados de paz, como o Brasil por exemplo. No continente Asiático têm-se uma prevalência acentuada, devido à ausência de planos de saúde que cubram grupos sociais que não tem acesso aos serviços de prevenção como uso de preservativos e testagem para doenças de risco sóciovulneráveis (Marinho TA. et al, 2023).…”

“…No estudo conduzido com Venezuelanos, pelo grupo brasileiro da Universidade Federal de Goiás com 537 imigrantes, o HTLV I foi confirmado pelo método Elisa numa taxa de (537/2,28%) para homens e 1, de soroprevalência em homens com faixa etária de 51 anos, a bioprospecção da etiologia do vírus linfotrópico humano de células T tipo I, nessa população acometida (295 homens e 242 mulheres) é devida as características demográficas e comportamentais avaliadas, a relação sexual desprotegida e a presença de mais de um parceiro sexual (≥2) nos últimos 12 meses estiveram associadas à soropositividade para HTLV-1/2 entre os venezuelanos (Marinho et al, 2023).…”