title: First description of endemic HTLV-II infection among Venezuelan Amerindians.
abstract: We describe for the first time the presence of human T lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) infection in Venezuela, among the Pume Amerindians living in the southern plains of the country. Antibodies to HTLV-II antigens were assessed by enzyme immunoassays (Elisa), Western blot, radioimmuno-precipitation, and immunofluorescence; titration studies against HTLV-I- and HTLV-II-infected cell lines were very useful in the differentiation of HTLV-I and HTLV-II antibodies. The HTLV-II general prevalence was 5%; however, there is a striking difference in prevalence between the truly isolated villages (0%) when compared to those living along the riverside and thus in contact with outsiders (9%). Preliminary evidence suggests sexual contact as the main source of transmission. These findings might suggest that HTLV-II in Venezuela originated through contact with outsiders rather than ancient infection related to the origins of the Pume.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Central University of Venezuela, Caracas.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Echeverria de Perez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leon-Ponte
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Noya
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Botto
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bianco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D015531:Radioimmunoprecipitation Assay; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies; D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies