HTLV-II risk factors in Native Americans in Florida.
Earlier virologic studies established that human T-cell lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) is the predominant retrovirus type found among Seminole Indians in southern Florida. We studied 46 members of the Seminole tribe living on 3 reservations to determine the risk factors for HTLV-II and to investigate disease association with the virus. The donors' plasma samples were evaluated with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent and Western blot assays. DNA extracted from their peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by type-specific polymerase chain reaction amplification and detection of the HTLV pol gene using the primer pair SK110/SK111, and the probes SK112 or SK188. One of 46 (2%) subjects was identified as HTLV-I positive and 11 (24%) were identified as HTLV-II positive. Restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analyses indicated that all of the HTLV-II strains were subtype b. Mitochondrial DNA analyses indicated that all of the HTLV-II-positive subjects had an Amerindian haplotype. HTLV-II was more prevalent in Indians who were >45 years of age or female, had multiple sex partners or had received a blood transfusion. However, only the latter risk factor was statistically significant. Three of the HTLV-II-positive Indians demonstrated signs and symptoms of an ataxic neuropathy. The data support that HTLV-IIb is endemic among the Seminoles and that they will be a key population for further virologic studies.
Lowis
G W
GW
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Fla. 33136, USA.
Sheremata
W A
WA
Wickman
P R
PR
Dube
S
S
Dube
K
K
Poiesz
B J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors
D017931:DNA Primers; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial