Human T lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) infection in a cohort of New York intravenous drug users: an old infection?

Article Abstract:

Infection with human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV) occurs in intravenous drug users, and is believed to be caused by sharing needles or other devices containing infected blood. There are two different types of HTLV, type I (HTLV-I) and type II (HTLV-II). HTLV-I is associated with human T cell leukemia/lymphoma (malignant diseases involving abnormal white blood cell production). The clinical significance of HTLV-II infection is not known. The two forms of HTLV are very similar and can not be distinguished from one another in blood samples using conventional blood (serological) tests. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a relatively new technique that can be used to distinguish HTLV-I from HTLV-II in blood samples. The PCR allows small amounts of virus DNA, present in a blood sample, to be identified. Since the DNA in HTLV-I is different from that in HTLV-II, the PCR can be used to distinguish between the two types of HTLVs. The PCR was used to identify the type and prevalence of HTLV infection in intravenous drug users (IVDUs) attending a drug rehabilitation clinic in New York City. Blood samples from 270 IVDUs were screened for the presence of HTLV. Twenty-one of those tested were positive for HTLV. HTLV-II was present in 15 of the 21 infected individuals, 5 had HTLV-I infection, and 1 was infected with both HTLVs. Although infection with HTLV-II appeared to be related to age, it was not related to sex, race, the presence or absence of HIV infection, transfusion history, needle sharing, number of sex partners, or socioeconomic status. However, many of these factors have been linked to the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, which causes AIDS). These findings indicate that HTLV-II infection is older and more common than HTLV-I infection among IVDUs, and that it is not transmitted as easily as HIV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Risk factors, New York, New York, New York, Intravenous drug abuse, HTLV-II (Virus)

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Seroprevalence of human T-lymphotropic virus type I or II in sexually transmitted disease clinic patients in the USA

Article Abstract:

High rates of human T-lymphotropic virus type I or II (HTLV-I/II) infection in the USA have been found among those undergoing multiple blood transfusions (2.8 percent), female prostitutes (6.7 percent), and intravenous (IV) drug users (7 to 49 percent). HTLV can be transmitted in ways similar to HIV. To determine the prevalence of HTLV infection, patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic were serologically tested for HTLV. Blood samples from 585 patients living in Denver were tested for antibody to HTLV I/II. Of these patients, 384 had a history of IV drug use. None of the non-IV drug users had antibodies to HTLV. However, 2.1 percent of the IV drug users tested positive for HTLV. In another study, 1,095 serum samples were collected from sexually transmitted disease clinics in Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, and Alabama. HTLV antibodies were found in 2 out of 1,095 blood samples. It is concluded that HTLV is not prevalent in the southeastern United States, and that IV drug use is associated with HTLV infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects, HTLV-I infections, HTLV (Viruses), HTLV viruses

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Usefulness of human immunodeficiency virus post-test counseling by telephone for low-risk clients of an urban sexually transmitted diseases clinic

Article Abstract:

Supplying HIV test results and counselling over the telephone may increase the number of low-risk clients who obtain test results. One-quarter to 80% of persons having HIV testing fail to return to clinics for results. A Denver sexually transmitted disease clinic offered the possibility of obtaining negative results and counselling over the phone. Those with positive or equivocal results or inadequate sample or other problems would be told to come to the clinic for results. Low-risk clients were those who did not report high-risk sexual practices or the use of injection drugs. Researchers evaluated return rates for 1,173 low-risk clients before the phone-in option and 1,304 low-risk clients after instituting it. Thirty-five percent more low-risk clients obtained post-test counselling after institution of the phone-in option. Seventy percent were counselled over the telephone and 30% in person, resulting in a 60% drop in in-person counselling clinic visits. Eighty percent of those opting for telephone counselling cited convenience as the reason.

Social aspects, Prevention, HIV infection, HIV infections, HIV testing, HIV tests

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