Cervical shedding of human T cell lymphotropic virus type I is associated with cervicitis.
Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is sexually transmitted. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for cervical shedding of HTLV-I DNA among Peruvian sex workers. HTLV tax DNA was detected in cervical specimens from 43 (68%) of 63 HTLV-I-infected sex workers and in samples obtained during 113 (52%) of 216 clinic visits between 1993 and 1997. Detection of HTLV DNA was associated with the presence of > or =30 polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) within cervical mucus per 100x microscopic field (odds ratio [OR], 4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-10.1) and with the presence of cervical secretions (OR, 2.0; 95% CI 1.2-3.4). Hormonal contraceptive use (OR 1.7; 95% CI, 0.8-3.6) and concomitant cervical infection by Chlamydia trachomatis (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.3-4.3) or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-3.7) were not significantly associated with HTLV-I shedding. Our results suggest that cervicitis may increase cervical HTLV-I shedding and the sexual transmission of this virus.
Zunt
Joseph R
JR
Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle 98104, USA. jzunt@u.washington.edu
Dezzutti
Charlene S
CS
Montano
Silvia M
SM
Thomas
Katherine K
KK
Alarcón
Jorge O V
JO
Quijano
Eberth
E
Courtois
Barry N
BN
Sánchez
Jorge L
JL
Campos
Pablo
P
Gotuzzo
Eduardo
E
Guenthner
Patricia C
PC
Lal
Renu B
RB
Holmes
King K
KK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010568:Peru; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work; D002575:Uterine Cervicitis / Q000821:virology*; D017201:Virus Shedding
D004279:DNA, Viral; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies