Human T-lymphotropic virus type II in Panamanian Guaymi Indians.
BACKGROUND
Currently, human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) is the most prevalent human retrovirus, detected in persons presenting to donate blood in the United States. Only scant information is available with which to counsel HTLV-II-seropositive deferred donors or other persons about the ways in which they may spread HTLV-II to others.


METHODS
To increase understanding of the modes of transmission of HTLV-II, a seroepidemiologic study was conducted among Panamanian Guaymi Indians, a recently identified focus of endemic HTLV-II infection. Subjects were tested for serologic evidence of infection by HTLV-II, HTLV type I, hepatitis B virus, and nine other infectious agents by enzyme immunoassays and specific confirmatory tests.


RESULTS
Nine (8.3%) of 109 persons tested HTLV-II-seropositive. HTLV-II seropositivity was more likely in persons with serologic evidence of prior hepatitis B virus infection. Sexual contact with HTLV-II-seropositive partners, but neither parenteral exposure nor breast-feeding, was identified as a risk factor for HTLV-II.


CONCLUSIONS
In Guaymi Indians, HTLV-II appears to be spread primarily through sexual transmission.
Feigenbaum
F
F
Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
Fang
C
C
Sandler
S G
SG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007197:Indians, Central American; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010176:Panama; D010375:Pedigree; D012307:Risk Factors; D012747:Sexual Partners
D015482:HTLV-II Antibodies