Serological and molecular evidence of infection by human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II in Italian drug addicts by use of synthetic peptides and polymerase chain reaction.
Infection with human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is associated with specific forms of tumours and neurological disorders, but the pathogenic activity of HTLV-II is not yet established. Moreover, due to high crossreactivity between the two viruses, differential diagnosis is not readily achieved. To discriminate between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections, we employed synthetic peptides specific for HTLV-I and HTLV-II env regions, and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In a series of 962 intravenous drug addicts (IVDAs) and 50 patients with haematological malignancies, 51 and 2 samples, respectively, were reactive against HTLV-I proteins; among these, HTLV-I infection was confirmed only in 1 patient with adult T-cell lymphoma, while HTLV-II infections were identified in 6 out of 14 PCR-tested IVDAs. These findings provide evidence of HTLV-II infection among Italian IVDAs. The differentiation between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections may contribute to a better understanding of HTLV-II pathogenicity in man.
De Rossi
A
A
Institute of Oncology, University of Padova, Italy.
Mammano
F
F
Del Mistro
A
A
Chieco-Bianchi
L
L
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D001483:Base Sequence; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies; D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies