Discovery and significance of new human T-lymphotropic viruses: HTLV-3 and HTLV-4.
Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and type 2 (HTLV-2) were discovered approximately 30 years ago and they are associated with various lymphoproliferative and neurological diseases. The estimated number of infected people is 10-20 million worldwide. In 2005, two new HTLV-1/HTLV-2-related viruses were detected, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4, from the same geographical area of Africa. In the last 4 years, their complete genomic sequences were determined and some of their characteristic features were studied in detail. These newly discovered retroviruses alongside their human (HTLV-1 and -2) and animal relatives (simian T-lymphotropic virus type 1-3) are reviewed. The potential risks associated with these viruses and the potential antiretroviral therapies are also discussed.
Bagossi
Péter
P
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. peter@indi.biochem.dote.hu
Bander
Pálma
P
Bozóki
Beáta
B
Tözsér
József
J
D000818:Animals; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017977:Deltaretrovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006800:Deltaretrovirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D005814:Genes, Viral; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D015367:Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D056187:Human T-lymphotropic virus 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D010802:Phylogeny
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents