[Infection with T-lymphotropic virus in Dutch blood donors, 1993-1996].
Infection with human T-lymphotrophic virus (HTLV) type 1 causes a neurological disorder or leukaemia in a minority of infected persons. Since January 1993 the Dutch blood banks screen each donation for presence of HTLV-1 infection. Approximately 4,000,000 donations from 700,000 donors have been tested. The numbers of confirmed HTLV-1 positive donors were: 1993: 15; 1994: 6; 1995: 8; 1996: 3. In 1995 one case of HTLV-2 infection was detected as well. In 26/32 (81%) of the HTLV-1 positive cases either the donor or his/her partner originated from HTLV-1 endemic areas. The introduction of HTLV screening prevents the silent spread of HTLV via blood transfusion.
Zaaijer
H L
HL
Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, afd. Klinische Microbiologie en Ziekenhuishygiënè, Amsterdam.
Lelie
P N
PN
van der Poel
C L
CL
D001782:Blood Donors; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology