Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and II in transfusion medicine.
As a consequence of migrating populations, IV drug use and, to a lesser extent, blood transfusions, endemic HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections have spread to nonendemic geographic regions. Although the risk that a person infected with HTLV-I will develop significant disease--even over a lifetime--is estimated to be relatively low, our awareness of the serious diseases associated with other retroviruses requires a cautious approach to blood transfusion. Reports from Japan and the United States indicate that programs testing donated blood and excluding units with HTLV-I antibodies have been highly successful in interrupting the spread of HTLV-I by transfusions. One unanticipated outcome of testing large numbers of people in the United States for HTLV-I antibodies has been recognition of the relatively high prevalence of HTLV-II infection, particularly among IV drug users. The long-term effects of HTLV-II infection are also unknown. Until the natural history and clinical consequences of HTLV-II infection are clearly understood, it is only prudent that blood donated by persons identified to be HTLV-II carriers also be excluded.
Sandler
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SG
Blood Services, American Red Cross National Headquarters, Washington, DC 20006.
Fang
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CT
Williams
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AE
D001771:Blood Banks / Q000592:standards; D001782:Blood Donors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000592:standards; D001942:Breast Feeding; D015480:Deltaretrovirus Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D015459:Leukemia-Lymphoma, Adult T-Cell / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008403:Mass Screening; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D015493:Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012011:Red Cross; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014481:United States
D015480:Deltaretrovirus Antibodies