[Seroprevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I in Curaçao and predictive variables for that infection].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the seroprevalence of human T-cell leukaemia virus (HTLV) type I and predictive variables in Curaçao.


METHODS
Descriptive.


METHODS
St. Elisabeth Hospital, Curaçao.


METHODS
A total of 2531 sera were randomly collected from a total population of approximately 145,000 over a period of three months (of seven the sex was not known). An initial ELISA test was performed to detect anti-HTLV-I antibodies. If this test was positive an ELISA re-test (in duplicate) was performed. If one of these re-tests was found positive a western blot confirmation test was performed. The association with age, sex, social class and history of syphilis were analysed with multiple logistic regression models and adjusted for confounding.


RESULTS
The estimated prevalence of HTLV-I was 1.9% (49/2524). No significant sex differences were observed (odds ratio (OR): 1.13; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.62-2.05). Increasing age (p for trend = 0.0003) and lower social class (OR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.03-3.38) were important predictive factors for HTLV-I infection. Members of the lower social classes and persons 50 years or older were at relatively high risk (OR: 3.91; 95% CI: 2.21-6.94).


CONCLUSIONS
HTLV-I infection is endemic in the island of Curaçao, as in other Caribbean islands. The estimated prevalence is 1.9%. Age and lower social class were important predictive factors for HTLV-I infection.
Kamphuis
D J
DJ
St. Elisabeth Hospitaal, afd. Neurologie, Willemstad, Curaçao.
Martina
I S
IS
Keli
S O
SO
Balentien
E G
EG
Top
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009427:Netherlands Antilles / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies