[Adult T cell leukemia virus (ATLV)--a serological study].
A nation-wide sero-epidemiologic survey of adult T-cell leukemia virus (ATLV) detected as anti-ATLA (ATLV-associated antigen) was made in Japan. Sera from adult donors in 15 different locations were screened for anti-ATLA. High incidences (6 to 37%) of antibody-positive donors were found in seven regions, one in northern Japan, and the others in southwestern regions. These areas are ATLV-endemic areas corresponding to ATL-endemic areas. Examination of sera from healthy donors aged 6 to 80 years in ATL-endemic areas showed an age-dependent increase of seropositive donors with a maximum of about 30% at 40 years of age. Anti-ATLA was found in all but two of 142 patients with ATL. Anti-ATLA-positive patients with ATL were mainly found in ATLV-endemic areas, and only a few in ATL-nonendemic areas. Six patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in ATLV-nonendemic areas gave a negative reaction for anti-ATLA. The geometric mean titer of anti-ATLA of patients with ATL was higher than that of healthy donors.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007938:Leukemia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission
D000914:Antibodies, Viral