HTLV-I/II seroprevalence and HIV/HTLV coinfection among U.S. intravenous drug users.
Data from a continuing multiyear seroprevalence survey of human T-lymphotropic virus types I or II (HTLV-I/II) among intravenous drug users in seven U.S. locations were analyzed to detect demographic patterns of seropositivity and coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Seropositivity for HTLV-I/II and HIV-1 was detected by whole-virus enzyme immunoassay, with Western blot confirmation. Of 1,800 subjects recruited from methadone maintenance and detoxification clinics, 207 (11.5%) were infected with HTLV-I/II. Seropositivity for HTLV-I/II varied by racial group, age, sex, and geographic location. Blacks had a higher (age- and location-adjusted) infection rate (17.1%) than Hispanics (8.7%) or whites (5.6%), and seropositivity showed a strong gradient with increasing age. Females had a slightly higher rate (14.0%) than males (10.0%), after adjustment for age and location. Among the seven locations, the rate varied from approximately 1% (Miami and Baltimore) to 20% (Los Angeles), although the former rates were based on relatively few subjects (47 and 65, respectively). Overall, the occurrence of coinfection by HIV-1 and HTLV-I/II did not occur more frequently than expected by chance.
Cantor
K P
KP
Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Weiss
S H
SH
Goedert
J J
JJ
Battjes
R J
RJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People