title: Serological and virological evaluation of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 infection in family groups from Tumaco, Colombia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date there has been no statistical evaluation of the profiles of immunoglobulin classes and viral replication as variables in the study of HTLV-1 infection and circulation among families in virus-endemic areas of Colombia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the correlation of several immunological and molecular characteristics with the transmission and circulation of HTLV-1 among families in the town of Tumaco.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma levels of HTLV-1 specific immunoglobulin classes IgG, IgM and IgA1, as well as IgG and sIgA in oral fluids, were calculated for 32 members of 10 family groups from Tumaco in which the mother and at least one child were infected with the virus. Levels of the different immunoglobulin classes were correlated with viral RNA circulating in plasma or oral fluids and the proviral burden as detected by RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were determined between mothers and carrier children for immunoglobulin levels (p=0.037) and proviral burden (p=0.002). The overall estimate of IgG in plasma and sIgA in oral fluids could be correlated with the circulation of free viral RNA in both fluids and high proviral burden, and associated with HAM/TSP mothers. The detection of anti- tax IgG in plasma revealed differences between HAM/TSP mothers and their offspring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study of immunological and molecular variables permitted the analysis of HTLV-1 circulation among families of Tumaco. The strong correlation between levels of IgM specific for the virus and viral RNA circulating in fluids indirectly confirmed the transmission of HTLV-1 among families.
authors: Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Patogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Martha C
authors: MC
authors: Domínguez
authors: Escuela de Bacteriología y Laboratorio Clínico, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Mercedes
authors: M
authors: Salcedo
authors: Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Patogénesis, Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Salud, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
authors: Felipe
authors: F
authors: García-Vallejo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D015490:HTLV-I Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D015368:Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D011533:Proviruses / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014766:Viremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015481:HTLV-I Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral