title: HTLV-I/II and blood donors: determinants associated with seropositivity in a low risk population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blood donors in Brazil have been routinely screened for HTLV-I/II since 1993. A study was performed to estimate the prevalence of HTLV-I/II infection in a low risk population and to better understand determinants associated with seropositivity.
  
  
  METHODS
  HTLV-I/II seropositive (n=135), indeterminate (n=167) and seronegative blood donors (n=116) were enrolled in an open prevalence prospective cohort study. A cross-sectional epidemiological study of positive, indeterminate and seronegative HTLV-I/II subjects was conducted to assess behavioral and environmental risk factors for seropositivity. HTLV-I/II serological status was confirmed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (EIA) and Western blot (WB).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three groups were not homogeneous. HTLV-I/II seropositivity was associated to past blood transfusion and years of schooling, a marker of socioeconomic status, and use of non-intravenous illegal drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results reinforce the importance of continuous monitoring and improvement of blood donor selection process.
authors.affiliation: Fundação Hemominas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
authors.forename: Bernadette Catalan
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Anna Bãrbara de F Carneiro
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Proietti
authors.forename: Fernando Augusto
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Proietti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers