Seroprevalence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection among immigrants in northern Italy.
To assess the prevalence of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) and 2 (HTLV-II) infection and the associated risk factors among immigrants living in Northern Italy, we surveyed 3017 open-population subjects from three geographical areas and 371 prisoners. In the open population, the overall prevalence was 0.3% for HTLV-I and 0.1% for HTLV-II, while among prisoners, HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection were detected in 1.4 and 0.8% of subjects, respectively. HTLV-I prevalence was higher in subjects with multiple sexual partners or sexually transmitted diseases. This association was significant in the open-population group and close to significance in prisoners. Multivariate analysis showed that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositivity remained significantly associated with HTLV-I infection in both targeted populations (OR: 11.2 in the open population; OR: 9.9 among prisoners), whereas sexual exposure was associated with HTLV-I seropositivity only for prisoners (OR: 14.3). No independent variable was related to HTLV-II infection.
Ansaldi
F
F
Department of Public Medical Sciences, University of Trieste and IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Italy.
Comar
M
M
D'Agaro
P
P
Grainfenberghi
S
S
Caimi
L
L
Gargiulo
F
F
Bruzzone
B
B
Gasparini
R
R
Icardi
G
G
Perandin
F
F
Campello
C
C
Manca
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000914:Antibodies, Viral