Sequential change of virus markers in seroconverters with community-acquired infection of human T lymphotropic virus type I.
Twenty-three human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) seroconverters were identified among 1120 HTLV-I-seronegative adults followed up for 11 years in an area of Japan endemic for HTLV-I. The geometric mean titer of anti-HTLV-I was 1:453 in the first year after seroconversion; the titer of each subject did not change significantly during 2-10 years of follow-up. HTLV-I proviral DNA load was quantified in 15 seroconverters, and a broad range of levels was observed-from <10 to >1000 copies/10(5) peripheral blood mononuclear cells. However, there was no obvious change in HTLV-I proviral DNA load over several years within individual subjects. Therefore, both proviral DNA load and humoral response in adult HTLV-I seroconverters were shown to stabilize within a few years after initial infection. In addition, 1 subject tested positive for HTLV-I proviral DNA before antibody seroconversion, which suggests the existence of a window period in community-acquired infection.
Okayama
A
A
Department of Internal Medicine II, Miyazaki Medical College, Kiyotake, Miyazaki 8891601, Japan. okayama@post1.miyazaki-med.ac.jp
Stuver
S
S
Iga
M
M
Okamoto
M
M
Mueller
N
N
Matsuoka
M
M
Yamaguchi
K
K
Tachibana
N
N
Tsubouchi
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003153:Community Health Services; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012424:Rural Population; D019562:Viral Load
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral