Work-Related Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) Infection: A Systematic Review

Stufano, Angela; Jahantigh, Hamid Reza; Cagnazzo, Francesco; Centrone, Francesca; Loconsole, Daniela; Chironna, Maria; Lovreglio, Piero

doi:10.3390/v13091753

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…There are several epidemiological studies of the prevalence of HTLV in specific populations such as pregnant women, blood donors, injecting drug users, and sex workers, among others; where, in general, a prevalence between 0.1 and 22% is observed in these groups [19][20][21][22][23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Description and Molecular Characterization of Intrafamily Transmission of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 in an Endemic Region of Brazil

Pereira¹,

Casseb²,

Nobre³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with neurological, degenerative, and inflammatory diseases. Brazil has regions with high prevalence rates. The prevalence among relatives of positive people is high, and intrafamily transmission causes the conservation of the infection for different generations. The investigation of epidemiological and molecular factors may clarify the factors associated with the efficacy of intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and molecular factors associated with intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1 in an endemic area of Brazil. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study investigated 72 relatives from 14 families with more than one infected. Epidemiological data were collected from all family members, and genetic sequencing was performed, phylogenetic analysis of 22 positive relatives. Results: The prevalence of HTLV-1 in families with infected people was 56.94% (41/72). Twelve vertical transmission routes and ten horizontal transmission routes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated the absence of polymorphisms between infected mother and child sequences, while sequences of couples presented nucleotide divergence of up to 3%.among themselves. It was also identified in a family with an intrafamilial transmission with the occurrence of two viral strains. Conclusion: Molecular data confirmed intrafamilial transmission. They also indicated little genetic variability between the sequenced samples of family members and those deposited in GenBank used in this study. The absence of polymorphisms was observed in cases of vertical transmission, indicating a tendency to perpetuate identical sequences regardless of the time of acquisition of the infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Description and Molecular Characterization of Intrafamily Transmission of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 in an Endemic Region of Brazil

Pereira¹,

Casseb²,

Nobre³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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“…Since HTLV-1 and 2 infections are often asymptomatic, these viruses are silently spread from mother to child, mainly by breastfeeding, and through horizontal transmission (1,4). In fact, all anti-HTLV-1/2 positive individuals reported having been breastfed during childhood, indicating that mother-to-child can be considered one of the modes of transmission among this Venezuelan migrant group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding the HTLV-2, it is estimated that 800,000 (range 670,000-890,000) people globally are infected with this virus, with a remarkably high prevalence in American indigenous populations and among people who inject drugs (3). These retroviruses are transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse, transfusion/transplantation of contaminated blood/organs, or injecting drugs, and from mother to child, mainly by breastfeeding (1,4).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Marinho,

Magalhães,

dos Santos

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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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.

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“…The pathogenicity of HTLV-2 is less certain when compared to HTLV-1. There are only sporadic reports made of neurological conditions, inflammatory disorders, and leukemia possibly associated with viral infection (Martinez et al, 2019;Stufano et al, 2021). HTLV-2 is most common in members of the Pygmy tribes in Central Africa, in American indigenous groups, particularly in Amazon region, and among people who use inject drugs in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia (Murphy et al, 2015;Martinez et al, 2019;Ishak et al, 2020b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spread of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1 and 2 Among Relatives of People Who Use Illicit Drugs in Northern Brazil

et al. 2022

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The human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) and 2 (HTLV-2) can be transmitted between humans by mechanisms associated with horizontal and vertical routes. Recently, high prevalence rates and levels of genetic diversity for HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 were detected among people who use illicit drugs (PWUDs) in the Brazilian state of Pará. None of the PWUDs with HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 were aware of their carrier condition of the retrovirus, and they ability to spread it to their family group, sexual partners, and other contacts. Thus, this study evaluated the presence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 in families of PWUDs in the state of Pará, in Northern Brazil. This descriptive study used convenience sampling and accessed 37 PWUDs and their respective families (n = 97) in 18 municipalities in the state of Pará, northern Brazil. All participants provided personal data and were tested for the presence of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting. HTLV positive samples were selected for Nested-PCR, and viral genotyping by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. HTLV-1 or HTLV-2 infections were detected in 15 families of PWUDs: 27 family members of PWUDs were infected with HTLV-1 (27.8%) and another 20 of them with HTLV-2 (20.6%). Subtypes 1a [subgroup A (54.5%)], 2b (20.5%), and 2c (25.0%) were detected. High horizontal (76.9%) and vertical (61.4%) transmission rates of HTLV were ascertained. Factors that facilitate the acquisition and transmission of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 were reported by the participants, such as long-term relationships, unprotected sex, breastfeeding, and lack of knowledge about the condition of being a carrier of the retrovirus. Evidence indicates intrafamilial transmission of HTLV from PWUDs to members of their respective families. Key interventions should urgently be employed for the control and prevention of HTLV-1 and HTLV-2 to reduce the spread of this retrovirus in PWUDs and the general population in Northern Brazil and elsewhere.

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Work-Related Human T-lymphotropic Virus 1 and 2 (HTLV-1/2) Infection: A Systematic Review

Cited by 7 publications

References 55 publications

Epidemiological Description and Molecular Characterization of Intrafamily Transmission of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 in an Endemic Region of Brazil

Epidemiological Description and Molecular Characterization of Intrafamily Transmission of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 in an Endemic Region of Brazil

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

Spread of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1 and 2 Among Relatives of People Who Use Illicit Drugs in Northern Brazil

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