Polyclonal integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in lymphocytes from HTLV-I seropositive individuals: an intermediate state between the healthy carrier state and smouldering ATL.
We have studied 15 individuals (aged 14-74 years) with antibodies to HTLV-I in their serum and random integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA in their peripheral blood lymphocytes. All but one of these patients suffered from a variety of non-specific complaints which did not correspond to those of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). All of them were born in Kyushu and Okinawa which are endemic areas for HTLV-I infection; 25% of their family members were also seropositive for HTLV-I. The only haematological abnormality in these patients was the presence of few atypical lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood. The CD4/CD8 ratios were normal but the proportion of Tac positive cells was slightly higher than normal. These individuals with polyclonal integration of HTLV-I proviral DNA seem to represent an intermediate state between smouldering ATL (monoclonal integration) and healthy HTLV-I carriers (with antibodies but no detectable HTLV-I proviral DNA). Patients with this intermediate state of HTLV-I infection may be at risk to progress to ATL. The natural history of HTLV-I infection in humans leading to the development of ATL is reviewed in the light of these new findings.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000276:immunology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral