Molecular evidence of HTLV-1 intrafamilial transmission in a non-endemic area in Argentina.
In the North of Argentina, an endemic area for HTLV-1, intrafamilial transmission of this virus has been observed. The HTLV-1 status in 13 family members of a seropositive blood donor from the central region of Argentina (non-endemic area) was investigated. According to serological and molecular assays, four members of this family (the blood donor, the husband, a son, and a daughter-in-law) proved to be HTLV-1 positive. LTR, tax, and env sequences from the provirus infecting the family members were identical. This strongly suggests the intrafamilial transmission of the virus. This study demonstrated intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1 in a non-endemic area of Argentina.
Gastaldello
R
R
Laboratory of Human Lymphotropic Viruses, Virology Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Cordoba, Argentina. sgallego@cmefcm.uncor.edu
Otsuki
K
K
Barbas
M G
MG
Vicente
A C P
AC
Gallego
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001118:Argentina; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D016356:Gene Products, tax / Q000235:genetics; D015752:Genes, env; D016355:Genes, pX; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010375:Pedigree; D010802:Phylogeny; D011533:Proviruses / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D020079:Terminal Repeat Sequences
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D016356:Gene Products, tax