Updates on the Epidemiology of the Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Infection in the Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office of the World Health Organization with Special Emphasis on the Situation in Iran

Abstract

Background: The epidemiology and prevalence of the Human T-cell leukemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection represent a recommended priority by global health agencies. An in-depth revision to update the status of this infection in countries including those of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) of the World Health Organization is hence required. Methods: Ninety-seven studies evaluating the HTLV-1 infection in low- and high-risk populations in EMRO countries were retrieved from the international electronic databases and were used to assess the epidemiological status of the infection in these countries. Results: Most epidemiologic reports were published from Iran, with more than 50% of Iranian prisoners and around 4% of healthy individuals reported to have the infection. In Egypt, a considerable prevalence of the virus spans around 1.11% of blood donors. Foci of HTLV-1 infection are also present in some countries and require a careful epidemiological evaluation. In the other EMRO countries, a lower prevalence that does not exceed 1% was reported. Conclusion: The epidemiology and prevalence of HTLV-1 in the EMRO countries require a tight revision and update. Published studies reveal a scarce distribution of the virus in the African countries of EMRO, while a lower prevalence is denoted in the Asian countries of EMRO, except in Iran, where the prevalence is high.

High Expression of Inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines in Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1-Associated Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

“…Mother-tochild transmission during breastfeeding, sexual transmission, and transmission through contaminated blood are responsible for acquired HTLV-1 infection (3)(4)(5)(6). Japan and Iran in Asia and Romania in Europe have a high preva-lence of HTLV-1 (7). In addition, the virus is prevalent in African countries (such as South America), Caribbean regions, and immigrant populations settled in North America and Western Europe.…”

“…In addition, the virus is prevalent in African countries (such as South America), Caribbean regions, and immigrant populations settled in North America and Western Europe. Notably, Australia and Melanesia are other reported regions for a prevalence of HTLV-1 (7). HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) are the main disorders of the virus.…”

Assess the Knowledge of Medical Students About HTLV-1 in Mashhad University of Medical Science

“…This infection is rare in Western Europe [6]. Studies have shown a low prevalence of this infection in blood donors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Germany, England, Spain, France, Italy, Sweden, Greece, and the Netherlands, and this infection in blood donors the regions of Martinique, French Guiana, Curacao, Guyana, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Argentina are common [3,6,7,15,16]. The first study of the prevalence of this infection in Mashhad in 2015 on the target population of medical diagnostic laboratories and blood donation volunteers showed that the prevalence of this infection in this target population was 3%, and the same study did not report any positive cases [17].…”

“…According to the studies, this virus belongs to the family of retroviruses and is a type of delta viruses [2]. This virus was first identified in 1979 in patients with human T-cell proliferative disease as human retroviruses [3]. In 1981, another research was done by Hinoma on a new retrovirus, which he called Adult T-cell Leukemia Virus (ATLV).…”