title: Risk factors for human T cell lymphotropic virus type II infection among the Guaymi Indians of Panama.
abstract: To examine risk factors for human T cell lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) infection, a case-control study was conducted among the Guaymi Indians of Panama. In females, HTLV-II seropositivity was associated with early sexual intercourse (</=13 vs. >15 years; odds ratio [OR], 2.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-6.14) and number of lifetime sex partners. One partner increased risk of seropositivity by 30% (OR, 1.30; CI, 1.05-1.64), and risk increased with number of partners. Similar risk was associated with number of long-term sexual relationships. Among males, intercourse with prostitutes was associated with HTLV-II seropositivity (OR, 1.68; CI, 1.04-2.72). These data support a role for sexual transmission in HTLV-II infection. Association of seropositivity with primary residence in a traditional village (OR, 3.75; CI, 1.02-15.38) and lack of formal education (0 vs. >6 years [OR, 3.89; CI, 1.67-9.82]) observed in males may reflect differences in sexual practices associated with acculturation.
authors.affiliation: Viral Epidemiology Branch, Epidemiology and Biostatistics Program, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7399, USA. maloneyb@epndce.nci.nih.gov
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Maloney
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Armien
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gracia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Blattner
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Giusti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007197:Indians, Central American; D008297:Male; D010176:Panama / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D012725:Sexual Behavior