Seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 among blood donors in the state of Maranhão, Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundInfection with human T-lymphotropic virus 1 or 2 (HTLV-1/2) is a major health problem. There is a public health policy defining measures for state hematology and hemotherapy centers in Brazil, in order to avoid virus transmission through blood donors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 in blood donors in the State of Maranhão, Brazil, during routine blood unit screening.MethodsScreening tests of blood donors using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect seropositivity for HTLV-1/2 performed at the Hematology and Hemotherapy Center of the State of Maranhão (HEMOMAR) between July of 2003 and December of 2009 were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsOf the 365,564 blood donors, 561 (0.15%) were HTLV-1/2-positive, of whom 72 (12.8%) performed the confirmatory test (Western blot). In donors who had a confirmatory test, 53 (73.6%) were positive. The ages of the infected individuals ranged from 18 to 65 years; 305 (54%) were aged over 40 years. Among the infected individuals, 309 (55%) were male, 399 (71%) were mixed-race, and 259 (46%) were single. Co-infections were frequently found, especially with hepatitis B (in 68.6% of the cases).ConclusionThe results obtained will contribute to the planning and implementation of control measures by the epidemiological surveillance agency of Maranhão, and will also contribute to reducing morbidity. The high seropositivity in a small sample in donors who had confirmatory tests indicates the need for confirmatory tests for all donors who initially test as seropositive.© 2014 Associação Brasileira de Hematologia, Hemoterapia e Terapia Celular. All rights reserved.

Molecular detection of human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 in pregnant women from Maranhão state, Brazil

“…In the present study, a seroprevalence of HTLV-1 of 0.42% was found by WB analysis, indicating that the metropolitan area of São Luis is the region with the fourth largest seroprevalence among pregnant Brazilian women. This seroprevalence is almost twofold higher than that found among blood donors (0.15%) [31] and is highly similar to that found in a previous study in pregnant women in this region [26]. In Europe, a multinational study observed a seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection six times higher in pregnant women than in blood donors, despite different prevalence rates among countries [32].…”

Comment: seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 among blood donors in the state of Maranhão Brazil✰✰See paper by Viana GM et al. on pages 50-3

“…Regarding the transmission pattern, breastfeeding has been considered the main route of viral transmission, followed by sexual contact and use of contaminated supplies by addicts. However, the study by Viana et al 3 in this issue confirmed previous findings from Mota et al 5 and Monteiro de Castro et al, 6 who demonstrated that seroprevalence increases with age. These data support the hypothesis that, rather than breastfeeding, other forms of transmission are currently more important in the acquisition of HTLV-1 infection.…”

Human T-lymphotropic virus 1aA circulation and risk factors for sexually transmitted infections in an Amazon geographic area with lowest human development index (Marajó Island, Northern Brazil)

“…In some specific risk groups, including pregnant women in Mato Grosso do Sul (0.1%, 37/32,512) [35] and blood donors in Maranhão (0.15%, 561/365,564) [36], the prevalence rates were similar to those found in the municipalities of Marajo studied; however, the distinct profile of the study subjects may have influenced the results.…”