title: Human T-cell leukemia viruses: epidemiology, biology, and pathogenesis.
abstract: The human T-cell lymphotropic viruses type I and type II are closely related human retroviruses that have similar biological properties, genetic organization and tropism for T lymphocytes. Along with the simian T-cell lymphoma virus type I, they define the group of retroviruses known as the primate T-cell leukemia/lymphoma viruses. Initially identified in 1980, the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I has been implicated as the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and of a degenerative neurologic disorder known as tropical spastic paraparesis or human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy. The intriguing link between human T-cell lymphotropic virus type, T-cell malignancy, and a totally unrelated and non-overlapping neurological disorder suggests divergent and unique pathogenetic mechanisms. This review will address the epidemiology, molecular biology, and pathogenesis of human T-cell leukemia viruses.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester Medical Center, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: O C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Planelles
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rosenblatt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D016370:Gene Products, rex / Q000378:metabolism; D016356:Gene Products, tax / Q000378:metabolism; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D016370:Gene Products, rex; D016356:Gene Products, tax