title: DNA diagnosis of HTLV-I.
abstract: Human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) was the first retrovirus which was directly associated with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). Infection with HTLV-I can also lead to various other diseases, e.g. HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) and HTLV-I uveitis, possibly via induction of immunodeficiency or hyperreactivity against HTLV-I-infected cells. Epidemiological data have shown that patients who developed these diseases represent a small percentage of HTLV-I-infected individuals living in restricted geographical areas. The identification of HTLV-I-infected individuals using serological and DNA-diagnostic methods is important because knowledge of HTLV-I seropositivity may help to prevent the transmission between sexual partners, as well as transmission from mother to child and blood transfusion. It also assists in establishing a diagnosis of ATL, HAM/ TSP and other HTLV-I-associated diseases.
authors.affiliation: Blood Transfusion Service, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsuoka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tamiya
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Etoh
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takatsuki
mesh_terms: D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral