Antibodies to human T cell leukaemia virus-associated membrane antigens in haemophiliacs: evidence for infection before 1980.
Human T cell leukaemia virus (HTLV), HTLV proviral DNA, and antibodies to HTLV or a related agent have recently been detected in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Antibodies against HTLV-related antigens were assayed by means of indirect living cell immunofluorescence of HTLV-infected cells in sera recently collected from Georgia haemophiliacs and in sera collected between 1976 and 1981 from New York haemophiliacs. 5 of 45 Georgia haemophiliacs and 8 of 48 New York haemophiliacs had antibodies to HTLV-associated cell membrane antigen (HTLV-MA). None of the control Georgia patients on haemodialysis or with chronic hepatitis had detectable antibodies. The 5 haemophiliac patients from Georgia with HTLV-MA had significantly fewer T4 lymphocytes than similar HTLV-MA-negative patients. There were no other significant immunological differences between these groups. These data suggest that transfusions with blood products may expose haemophiliacs to a substantial risk of acquiring HTLV or a related virus.
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000276:immunology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005845:Georgia; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D012306:Risk; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D005169:Factor VIII