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Norman FF, Salvador F, Gullón B, Díaz-Menéndez M, Pérez-Ayala A, Rodriguez-Guardado A, García-Rodriguez M, Henriquez-Camacho C, Goikoetxea J, Bosch-Nicolau P, de la Calle F, Ramos-Rincon JM, Aznar ML, Peñaranda M, Calabuig E, Suarez-Garcia I, Pérez-Molina JA, López-Vélez R. Frequency and characteristics of HTLV in migrants: results from the +Redivi collaborative network in Spain. J Travel Med 2022; 29:6528728. [PMID: 35166822 DOI: 10.1093/jtm/taac019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The objective of this study was to describe the main characteristics of migrants diagnosed with human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infection within the +Redivi Spanish network. METHODS Patients with a diagnosis of HTLV type 1 or 2 in +Redivi from October 2009 to December 2020 were included. Diagnosis was based on positive HTLV serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)/chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)) with line immunoassay (LIA)/Western blot with/without polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS A total of 107/17 007 cases (0.6%) had a final diagnosis of HTLV infection: 83 (77.67%) HTLV-1 infections, 6 (5.6%) HTLV-2 infections and 18 (16.8%) non-specified. The majority (76, 71%) were female, median age was 42 years and median time from arrival to Spain until consultation was 10 years. The group included 100 (93.5%) immigrants and 7 (6.6%) visiting friends and relatives (VFR)-immigrants. Most patients were from South America (71, 66.4%), followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (15, 14%) and Central America-Caribbean (13, 12.1%). Around 90% of patients were asymptomatic at presentation and diagnosed as part of screening programs. Median duration of follow-up was 5 years (IQR 2-7). Regarding HTLV-associated conditions, 90 patients (84.2%) had none, 7 (6.5%) had tropical spastic paraparesis , 5 (4.7%) had other associated conditions (dermatitis, uveitis, pulmonary disease), 3 (2.8%) had other neurological symptoms and 2 (1.9%) had adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma. No patients with HTLV-2 had HTLV-associated conditions. Four patients (3.7%) died. Concomitant diagnoses were found in 41 (38.3%) patients, including strongyloidiasis in 15 (14%) and HIV co-infection in 4 (3.7%). In 70% of patients, screening of potential contacts was not performed/recorded. CONCLUSIONS HTLV infections (the majority due to HTLV-1) were mainly diagnosed in asymptomatic migrants from Latin America (generally long-settled immigrants and the majority female with the consequent implications for screening/prevention). A high rate of association with strongyloidiasis was found. In the majority, screening of potential contacts was not performed, representing a missed opportunity for decreasing the under diagnosis of this infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca F Norman
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Salvador
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Beatriz Gullón
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Díaz-Menéndez
- National Referral Centre for Imported Tropical diseases, Hospital Universitario La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Pau Bosch-Nicolau
- Infectious Diseases Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando de la Calle
- National Referral Centre for Imported Tropical diseases, Hospital Universitario La Paz-Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Maria-Luisa Aznar
- Unitat de Medicina Tropical y Salut Internacional Vall d'Hebron-Drassanes, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, PROSICS Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Eva Calabuig
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Medicine Department, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Jose A Pérez-Molina
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rogelio López-Vélez
- National Referral Unit for Tropical Diseases, Infectious Diseases Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, IRYCIS, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
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Gordon CA, Shield JM, Bradbury RS, Muhi S, Page W, Judd JA, Lee R, Biggs BA, Ross K, Kurscheid J, Gray DJ, McManus DP. HTLV-I and Strongyloides in Australia: The worm lurking beneath. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 111:119-201. [PMID: 33482974 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Strongyloidiasis and HTLV-I (human T-lymphotropic virus-1) are important infections that are endemic in many countries around the world with an estimated 370 million infected with Strongyloides stercoralis alone, and 5-10 million with HTVL-I. Co-infections with these pathogens are associated with significant morbidity and can be fatal. HTLV-I infects T-cells thus causing dysregulation of the immune system which has been linked to dissemination and hyperinfection of S. stercoralis leading to bacterial sepsis which can result in death. Both of these pathogens are endemic in Australia primarily in remote communities in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Other cases in Australia have occurred in immigrants and refugees, returned travellers, and Australian Defence Force personnel. HTLV-I infection is lifelong with no known cure. Strongyloidiasis is a long-term chronic disease that can remain latent for decades, as shown by infections diagnosed in prisoners of war from World War II and the Vietnam War testing positive decades after they returned from these conflicts. This review aims to shed light on concomitant infections of HTLV-I with S. stercoralis primarily in Australia but in the global context as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Gordon
- Infectious Diseases Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Jennifer M Shield
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard S Bradbury
- School of Health and Life Sciences, Federation University, Berwick, VIC, Australia
| | - Stephen Muhi
- Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Wendy Page
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jenni A Judd
- School of Health Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia; Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research, Central Queensland University, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
| | - Rogan Lee
- Westmead Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Beverley-Ann Biggs
- Department of Medicine, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Kirstin Ross
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Johanna Kurscheid
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Darren J Gray
- Department of Global Health, Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Donald P McManus
- Infectious Diseases Program, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Abstract
Most of the 30 to 100 million people infected with Strongyloides stercoralis have subclinical (or asymptomatic) infections. These infections are commonly chronic and longstanding. A change in immune status can increase parasite numbers, leading to hyperinfection syndrome, dissemination, and death if unrecognized. The use of corticosteroids and HTLV-1 infection are most commonly associated with the hyperinfection syndrome. Strongyloides adult parasites reside in the small intestine and induce immune responses that are like other nematodes. Definitive diagnosis of S stercoralis infection is based on stool examinations for larvae. S stercoralis remains largely neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Krolewiecki
- Institute for Tropical Diseases Research, Universidad Nacional de Salta/CONICET, Alvarado 751, Oran 4530, Salta, Argentina
| | - Thomas B Nutman
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Building 4 - Room B1-03, 4 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-0425, USA.
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