title: Dermatologic lesions in asymptomatic blood donors seropositive for human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1.
abstract: Dermatologic manifestations are quite common in patients with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis associated with infection with human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1). In this study, we evaluated the dermatologic lesions of eligible blood donors in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil who were seropositive but asymptomatic for infection with HTLV-1. The study population was composed of 128 HTLV-1-seropositive individuals and 108 seronegative controls. All individuals underwent a dermatologic evaluation. Biopsy specimens were obtained from abnormal and normal skin samples of seropositive individuals in an attempt to detect HTLV-1 in tissue samples by a polymerase chain reaction. Dermatologic alterations were observed more frequently in the seropositive group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 8.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.11-18.71). The most common skin diseases were dermatophytoses (adjusted OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.50-7.35), seborrheic dermatitis (OR = 3.53, 95% CI = 0.67-24.66), and acquired ichthyosis (P = 0.001). Virus was detected more frequently in abnormal skin samples. Dermatologic lesions probably related to HTLV-1 infection were diagnosed in eligible blood donors who were infected with this virus, who were previously considered to be asymptomatic carriers of HTLV-1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise Utsch
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.forename: Antônio Carlos Martins
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.forename: Anna Bárbara de Freitas Carneiro
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Proietti
authors.forename: Marina Lobato
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Fernando Augusto
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Proietti
authors.forename: José Roberto
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lambertucci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001782:Blood Donors; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000150:complications*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007057:Ichthyosis / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies