Lack of association of Human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1(HTLV-1) infection and rheumatoid arthritis in an endemic area.
In South Africa the association of HTLV-1 infection with myelopathy is well described in Kwa Zulu Natal, which is an endemic area for HTLV-1 infection. Japan also has a high background prevalence of HTLV-1 infection, and a significant association of HTLV-1 infection with rheumatoid arthritis has been reported. This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association with HTLV-1 infection among black Africans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa. A randomly selected group of 110 black people with RA were studied. The age, sex and duration of disease were recorded and a rheumatoid factor test was performed. The presence of antibodies to HTLV-1 was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The integration of proviral DNA in peripheral blood monocytes was also studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Control data were available from a previously reported community-based study of 1018 subjects from the same geographical area. None of the 110 patients studied were positive for HTLV-1 infection by serology or by PCR. Although HTLV-1 infection is reported as a possible triggering agent for RA in Japan, we failed to detect any excess of HTLV-1 infection in black Africans with RA. Our findings are in agreement with observations in the USA and Europe.
Sebastian
D
D
Rheumatology Unit, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Private Bag 7, Congela 4013, Durban, South Africa.
Nayiager
S
S
York
D Y
DY
Mody
G M
GM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000821:virology*; D044383:Black People; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents