Human T-lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 are rare among intravenous drug users in Eastern Europe

Abstract

Background In Europe, human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) type 2 mainly occurs among persons who inject drugs (PWID) with prevalence up to 15% and HTLV-1 among general population with prevalence less than 1%. However, there is no data regarding the prevalence of HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 in Eastern European PWID population where HIV prevalence is relatively high. We aimed to determine the prevalence and genotypes of HTLV-1/HTLV-2 among PWID and healthy volunteers in Estonia. Methods The study included 345 PWID and 138 healthy volunteers. The presence of HTLV- 1/HTLV-2 was determined by nested PCR; positive and negative controls were used in every PCR run. Results The analysed PWID resembled the PWID of HIV epidemic in Estonia: mainly male (79%) with median age of 30 years (interquartile range [IQR] 25–34), and prolonged duration of intravenous drug usage (11 years; IQR 7–14). The prevalence exposure to blood-borne viral infections was high – 50% were HIV positive, 88% hepatitis C positive, 67% hepatitis B positive. Of PWID, 64% reported receptive needle sharing in the past and 18% at least once a month during last six months. None of the PWID carried HTLV-1 but there was a case of HTLV-2 (prevalence 0.3 %; 95% CI 0.1–1.6). All healthy volunteers were HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 PCR negative. Conclusion This is the first study investigating the prevalence of HTLV-1/HTLV-2 among high risk population and healthy volunteers in Eastern European region. Our results suggest that despite other widely spread blood-borne infections (e.g. HIV, HBV, HCV) HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 are rare among PWID in Estonia.

Assessment of risk factors associated with HTLV-1/-2 infection among people living with HIV/AIDS in Bauchi State, Nigeria

“…However, unprotected sexual practice was significantly associated with seroprevalence of HTLV-1/-2. Intravenous drug use is an important risk factor for infection with HIV [17]. Studies indicate that PLWHIV are at a high risk for HIV transmission through unsafe practices such as sharing non-sterile injecting equipment and unprotected sex.…”

No significant HTLV seroprevalence in German people who inject drugs

“…Again, the majority of HTLV infections were attributed to HTLV-2, with only two scoring positive for HTLV-1 and another five as indeterminate. Finally, a very recent study carried out in Tallinn, Estonia, with 345 PWID recruited by respondent-driven sampling [ 44 ] found only one case of HTLV-2 infection. In this case PBMC DNA was directly analyzed by nested PCR and no serological assays were used.…”