HTLV-2 infection in injection drug users in King County, Washington.
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 2 (HTLV-2) is endemic in injection drug users (IDU), and native American populations in the Americas. Transmission is associated with high-risk injection and sexual practices. A cohort of 2561 IDU in King County, Washington completed 2 study visits over 1 y. HTLV-2 infection was detected in 190 (7.4%) of 2561 IDU, and 13 (7.8 cases per 1000 person-y) incident infections occurred during the study. Prevalent infection was associated with female gender, non-white race, longer duration as IDU, having a tattoo, combined injection of heroin and cocaine, and with serologic evidence of hepatitis B and C infection. Seroconversion was more common in women, and was associated with African American race, heterosexual identity and longer duration as IDU. In conclusion, increased risk of HTLV-2 infection was associated with non-white race, and injection drug of choice, suggesting injection networks may play an important role in transmission of HTLV-2. The high correlation of HTLV-2 infection with HCV infection suggests the major route of transmission in IDU is via injection practices. Additional studies are needed to examine the clinical manifestations of HTLV-2 infection, as well as the clinical and virological manifestations of HTLV-2/HCV coinfection.
Zunt
Joseph R
JR
Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA. jzunt@u.washington.edu
Tapia
Ken
K
Thiede
Hanne
H
Lee
Rong
R
Hagan
Holly
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018671:Needle-Exchange Programs; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology