title: Retrospective study of the prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus-type 1/2, HIV, and HBV in pregnant women in Argentina.
abstract: This study shows first data on HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence among pregnant women in the non-endemic region of Argentina. In a retrospective study a representative sample (n = 3,143) of the pregnant women registered in the health public service in the province of Córdoba was evaluated. HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence was 0.191% +/- 0.0857 [IC 0.022-0.359]. This prevalence was 10 times higher in pregnant women than in blood donors [0.019 (4/21.183)]. The pregnant women would reflect the epidemiology of the general population more accurately since it constitutes a more heterogeneous group than that of blood donors. The prevalence of infection with HIV was 2.8 times higher than that of HTLV-1/2 (P < 0.05) and the presence of any of these two viruses was not a subrogating indicator of the presence of the other (Goodman and Kruskal's Tau coefficient = 0.0092). The prevalence of HBV was not significantly different from that of HTLV-1/2 (P > 0.05). We consider that it is necessary to carry out continuous studies in order to define the main risk factors for infection of these women. Thus, a decision could be made to apply the best policy in public health to prevent vertical transmission of the virus in Argentina.
authors.affiliation: Virology Institute, School of Medicine, National University of Cordoba, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trenchi
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gastaldello
authors.forename: Marcos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Balangero
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irizar
authors.forename: Analía
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cudolá
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallego
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015491:HTLV-II Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies