title: Seroepidemiology of HTLV-I/II in Argentina: an overview.
abstract: In this report, the results of seroepidemiologic studies of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and type II (HTLV-II) infections in different population groups in Argentina have been compiled. The studies have shown a high prevalence of HTLV-I/II infection in blood donors in the provinces in the north of Argentina (1.0% in Jujuy, 0.7% in Salta, and 0.6% in Formosa) and a low prevalence in the provinces in the central region of the country (<or=0.1%). High rates of HTLV-I (0.45%-2.78%) and HTLV-II (2.78%-21.9%) infections have been documented in Native Indian groups and have highlighted the importance of sexual and mother-to-child transmission of the viruses. The presence of HTLV-I/II antibodies in HIV-infected individuals indicates that both viruses are circulating in certain high-risk population groups. HTLV-I/II was detected in intravenous drug users (2.56%-21.7%), homosexual men (0.5-1.33%), prostitutes (0.8%), and hemophiliacs (2.8%). In conclusion, HTLV-I/II infection is circulating in low- and high-risk populations in Argentina, and these findings would support the view that selective screening for HTLV-I/II should be implemented to reduce the spread of infection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Lymphotropic Virus, Institute of Virology, School of Medicine, National University of Córdoba, Argentina. sgallego@cmefcm.uncor.edu
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gastaldello
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallego
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D001782:Blood Donors; D005843:Geography; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous