title: [Infection and disease caused by the human T cell lymphotropic viruses type I and II in Brazil].
abstract: HTLV-I/II infection is present in all regions of Brazil, but its prevalence varies according to the geographical area, being higher in Bahia, Pernambuco and Pará. It has been estimated that Brazil has the highest absolute number of infected individuals in the world. Blood donors screening and research conducted with special groups (indigenous population of Brazil, IV drug users and pregnant women) are the major sources of information about these viruses in our Country. HTLV-I causes adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), HTLV associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), HTLV associated uveitis (HAU), dermatological and immunological abnormalities. HTLV-II is not consistently associated with any disease. Diagnosis is established using screening (enzymatic assays, agglutination) and confirmatory (Western blot, PCR) tests. The viruses are transmitted by blood and contaminated needles, by sexual relations and from mother to child, especially by breast feeding. Prevention efforts should focus on education of positive blood donors, infected mothers and IV drug users.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Hemominas, Belo Horizonte, MG. presid@hemominas.mg.gov.br
authors.forename: Anna Bárbara F
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Carneiro-Proietti
authors.forename: João Gabriel Ramos
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ribas
authors.forename: Bernadette C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Catalan-Soares
authors.forename: Marina L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Gustavo E A
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Brito-Melo
authors.forename: Olindo A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Martins-Filho
authors.forename: Sônia R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Abelardo de Queiroz-Campos
authors.initials: Ade Q
authors.lastname: Araújo
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Galvão-Castro
authors.forename: Maria S Pombo
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.forename: Fernando Augusto
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Proietti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors