Sexual transmission of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I)

Article Abstract:

The human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) is a virus that has a particular affinity for the T-lymphocytes, specialized white blood cells involved in the immune response. HTLV-I viruses have been associated with some leukemias and have been linked to tropical spastic paraparesis. The virus is transmitted from an infected mother's breast milk to her fetus, through infected blood (transfusions and IV drug use) and through sexual contact. To determine the risk factors for infection with HTLV-I virus among the sexually active population, 1,977 patients attending a sexual health clinic in Jamaica were studied. Of the patients who visited the clinic with a new episode of a sexually transmitted disease, 5.7 percent had evidence of HTLV-I, five patients (0.3 percent) had the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and two patients had both HTLV-I and HIV. Older patients (30 years and older) represented 5.1 percent of the infections, compared with 1.6 percent in the younger group (age 14 to 19). Female patients with a sexually transmitted disease were 1.83 times more likely to have an HTLV-I infection. This was not true in the male population. Women having more than 10 lifetime sex partners were 3.52 times more likely to have an HTLV-I infection. Women with a diagnosis of syphilis were 2.12 time more likely to have the infection. Men with a history of sores on the penis and diagnosis of syphilis were 2.13 and 3.5 times more likely to have the HTLV-I virus. The data support the hypothesis that the HTLV-I virus is more likely to be transmitted from men to women during sexual intercourse. Sores on the penis or a simultaneous infection with syphilis increased the risk for HTLV-I infection with HTLV-I in men. A study of the transmission of HTLV-I in the sexual partners of infected patients is needed. Until more information is available, safe-sex practices are recommended. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexually transmitted diseases, Risk factors, Disease transmission, HTLV-I (Virus)

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A study of HTLV-I and its associated risk factors in Trinidad and Tobago

Article Abstract:

The prevalence of individuals with antibodies against the human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) (antibodies indicate infection with the virus) was examined in Trinidad and Tobago. HTLV-I is known to be endemic in the Caribbean islands and in Japan. In Trinidad, the prevalence of HTLV-I infection was found to be 3.2 percent in 1,025 persons who were of African descent. The prevalence was 0.2 percent in 487 persons of Asian descent, and 0 percent in 46 persons of European descent. In Tobago, the rate of HTLV-I seroprevalence in individuals of African descent was much higher than in Trinidad, at 11.4 percent. The incidence of individuals with antibodies to hepatitis A and B viruses was also greater in those examined from Tobago compared with those in Trinidad. Women had higher rates of antibodies to HTLV-I than men. In women, HTLV-I infection was associated with age, poor sanitation, and infection with hepatitis B. In men, HTLV-I infection was found only to be associated with age. It is concluded that exposure of individuals to multiple infectious agents, as would occur in poverty conditions, may result in activation of the immune system allowing increased susceptibility to HTLV-I infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Demographic aspects, Trinidad and Tobago, Hepatitis

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Incidence of HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) in Jamaica and Trinidad

Article Abstract:

There appear to be other risk factors for HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) in addition to infection with the HTLV-I virus. This was the conclusion of a study of these two diseases in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. The incidence of HAM/TSP was three times higher in women than men and increased with age. However, the risk of developing HAM/TSP was only slightly higher in women than in men. The higher incidence of HAM/TSP in women between the ages of 40 and 59 indicates that sexual activity may be a risk factor for the disease.

Jamaica, Paraparesis, Tropical spastic, Tropical spastic paraparesis

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