Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 serology in the Northern Territory: 2008-2011.
A retrospective observational study of human T-lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1) serology requests made to the Northern Territory Government Pathology Service (NTGPS) between 2008 and 2011, was undertaken to review aspects of HTLV-1 sero-epidemiology and performance of the assays. A total of 5686 HTLV-1 serology requests, representing 3555 individual patients, were received during the study period; 368 HTLV-1 confirmed positive serology results were identified from the 3555 individual patients included in the sample. There was a distinct difference in the performance of the two antibody assays in use during this period, with the Serodia particle agglutination having a 5.7% indeterminate positivity rate compared to 18.1% indeterminate positivity rate of the Abbott HTLV 1/2 assay. We believe this is partially a serological anomaly related to current Australian western blot positive interpretative criteria, rather than false positive screening assay results.The majority (99.7%) of positive results occurred in Indigenous patients. The HTLV-1 positive rate varied geographically from a regional high of 51.7%, and falling inversely with distance from Central Australia. Patients with positive serology had a mean age of 49.9 (±13.9) years, with positivity occurring equally in males and females.
1Royal Darwin Hospital 2Pathology Department, Northern Territory Government Pathology Service, Darwin, NT, Australia.
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Grivas
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Freeman
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Baird
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000821:virology*; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015876:Northern Territory; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012699:Serology / Q000379:methods