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Pineda MV, Bouzas MB, Remesar M, Fridman A, Remondegui C, Mammana L, Altamirano N, Paradiso P, Costantini P, Tadey L, Aulicino P, Mangano A. Relevance of HTLV-1 proviral load in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients living in endemic and non-endemic areas of Argentina. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0225596. [PMID: 31756234 PMCID: PMC6874385 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
HTLV-1 proviral load (pVL) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) is proposed as a marker of disease progression but its role still remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of HTLV-1 pVL in symptomatic patients and asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers. In this cross-sectional study the pVL was measured by Real Time PCR in 102 asymptomatic carriers and 22 symptomatic patients (5ATLL, 15 TSP and 2 uveitis). We observed that the HTLV-1 pVL was significantly higher in symptomatic patients (median = 4.99 log10 HTLV-1 copies /106 PBMCs) compared to asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (median = 4.38 log10 HTLV-1 copies /106 PBMCs; p = 0.0030). A wide variation on the HTLV-1 pVL levels among asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers was observed with some pVL as high as those observed in symptomatic patients. The asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers were divided according to the place of birth and the highest levels of pVL were detected among patients from endemics areas from the North of Argentina. Our results reinforce the usefulness of the proviral load would be a prognostic marker of HTLV-1 disease progression. Moreover, host, viral or socio-environmental factors cannot be excluded as determinant of high proviral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Verónica Pineda
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus-CONICET, Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Belén Bouzas
- Unidad de Virología, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.,División de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mirta Remesar
- Centro Regional de Hemoterapia Garrahan, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Carlos Remondegui
- Servicio de Infectología y Enfermedades Tropicales, Hospital San Roque, Jujuy, Argentina
| | - Lilia Mammana
- Unidad de Virología, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Altamirano
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus-CONICET, Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Paradiso
- Servicio de Hemoterapia, Hospital Durand, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Costantini
- Instituto de Oncología Ángel H. Roffo, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Tadey
- Unidad de Virología, Hospital de Infecciosas "Francisco J. Muñiz", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Paula Aulicino
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus-CONICET, Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Mangano
- Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Retrovirus-CONICET, Unidad de Virología y Epidemiología Molecular, Hospital de Pediatría "Prof. Dr. Juan P. Garrahan", Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Alvarez C, Gotuzzo E, Vandamme AM, Verdonck K. Family Aggregation of Human T-Lymphotropic Virus 1-Associated Diseases: A Systematic Review. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:1674. [PMID: 27840624 PMCID: PMC5083714 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.01674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is a retrovirus that produces a persistent infection. Two transmission routes (from mother to child and via sexual intercourse) favor familial clustering of HTLV-1. It is yet unknown why most HTLV-1 carriers remain asymptomatic while about 10% of them develop complications. HTLV-1 associated diseases were originally described as sporadic entities, but familial presentations have been reported. To explore what is known about family aggregation of HTLV-1-associated diseases we undertook a systematic review. We aimed at answering whether, when, and where family aggregation of HTLV-1-associated diseases was reported, which relatives were affected and which hypotheses were proposed to explain aggregation. We searched MEDLINE, abstract books of HTLV conferences and reference lists of selected papers. Search terms used referred to HTLV-1 infection, and HTLV-1-associated diseases, and family studies. HTLV-1-associated diseases considered are adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL), HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), HTLV-1-associated uveitis, and infective dermatitis. Seventy-four records reported HTLV-1-associated diseases in more than one member of the same family and were included. Most reports came from HTLV-1-endemic countries, mainly Japan (n = 30) and Brazil (n = 10). These reports described a total of 270 families in which more than one relative had HTLV-1-associated diseases. In most families, different family members suffered from the same disease (n = 223). The diseases most frequently reported were ATLL (115 families) and HAM/TSP (102 families). Most families (n = 144) included two to four affected individuals. The proportion of ATLL patients with family history of ATLL ranged from 2 to 26%. The proportion of HAM/TSP patients with family history of HAM/TSP ranged from 1 to 48%. The predominant cluster types for ATLL were clusters of siblings and parent-child pairs and for HAM/TSP, an affected parent with one or more affected children. The evidence in the literature, although weak, does suggest that HTLV-1-associated diseases sometimes cluster in families. Whether familial transmission of HTLV-1 is the only determining factor, or whether other factors are also involved, needs further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Alvarez
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLima, Peru; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven-University of LeuvenLeuven, Belgium
| | - Eduardo Gotuzzo
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLima, Peru; Departamento de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Tropicales y Dermatológicas, Hospital Cayetano HerediaLima, Peru
| | - Anne-Mieke Vandamme
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven-University of LeuvenLeuven, Belgium; Center for Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Unidade de Microbiologia, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de LisboaLisbon, Portugal
| | - Kristien Verdonck
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Universidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLima, Peru; Department of Public Health, Institute of Tropical Medicine AntwerpAntwerp, Belgium
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Coler-Reilly ALG, Yagishita N, Suzuki H, Sato T, Araya N, Inoue E, Takata A, Yamano Y. Nation-wide epidemiological study of Japanese patients with rare viral myelopathy using novel registration system (HAM-net). Orphanet J Rare Dis 2016; 11:69. [PMID: 27225443 PMCID: PMC4881005 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-016-0451-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background At least one million people are infected with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) in Japan, a small percentage of whom develop HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) or adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). Patients with HAM/TSP suffer from progressively worsening myelopathic symptoms, such as motor disability and bladder dysfunction, and may become wheelchair-bound or even bedridden. Methods To learn more about this rare, debilitating disease, we established the national registration system “HAM-net” in March 2012. We continuously obtain detailed data from enrolled patients using the registration forms and an annual telephone interview. In this retrospective study, we describe the demographics and clinical histories of 383 registered patients from all over Japan. Results Patients were diagnosed at a median of 53 years old, long after disease onset at 45. Most (55.3 %) were originally from the southernmost regions, Kyushu and Okinawa. The main initial symptoms were difficulty walking (81.9 %), urinary dysfunction (38.5 %), and lower limb sensory disturbances (13.9 %). Many patients reported frequent leg numbness and leg pain, and the vast majority required medical intervention for urinary symptoms and constipation. A median of 8 years elapsed from the onset of motor symptoms to Osame Motor Disability Score (OMDS) 5 (requiring unilateral support), 12.5 years to OMDS 6 (requiring bilateral support), and 18 years to OMDS 9 (unable to walk). Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index (HAQ-DI) tasks related to mobility, as opposed to hand motions, were very difficult for HAM/TSP patients and well-correlated with OMDS. Scores on the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) indicated that physical functioning was severely impaired in HAM/TSP patients. Patients with a history of blood transfusion (19.1 %) were older and suffered from more severe disability as indicated by their high HAQ-DI scores. Patients with a family history of HAM/TSP (8.4 %) were younger and had relatively mild symptoms given their long disease durations; many (15.6 %) also had a relative with ATLL. Conclusions The HAM-net national registration system has been an effective tool for gathering personal and clinical data from HAM/TSP patients scattered throughout Japan. We expect to conduct many retrospective and prospective epidemiological studies using HAM-net in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariella L G Coler-Reilly
- Department of Rare Diseases Research, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Naoko Yagishita
- Department of Rare Diseases Research, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroko Suzuki
- Department of Rare Diseases Research, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tomoo Sato
- Department of Rare Diseases Research, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Natsumi Araya
- Department of Rare Diseases Research, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Eisuke Inoue
- Center for Clinical Research and Development, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayako Takata
- Department of Preventive Medicine, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Yamano
- Department of Rare Diseases Research, Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.
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Malignant diseases and mortality in blood donors infected with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 in Israel. Int J Infect Dis 2013; 17:e1022-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2013.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 03/04/2013] [Accepted: 03/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Low CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio associated with inflammatory arthropathy in human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax transgenic mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e18518. [PMID: 21483764 PMCID: PMC3069963 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0018518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Accepted: 03/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) can cause an aggressive malignancy known as adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) as well as inflammatory diseases such as HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). A transgenic mouse that expresses HTLV-1 Tax also develops T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and an inflammatory arthropathy that resembles rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to identify the primary T-cell subsets involved in the development of arthropathy in Tax transgenic mice. Principal Findings By 24 months of age, Tax transgenic mice developed severe arthropathy with a cumulative incidence of 22.8%. The pathological findings of arthropathy in Tax transgenic mice were similar to those seen in human rheumatoid arthritis or mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis, with synovial proliferation and a positive rheumatoid factor. Before the onset of spontaneous arthropathy, young and old Tax transgenic mice were not sensitive to collagen and did not develop arthritis after immunization with type II collagen. The arthropathic Tax transgenic mice showed a significantly decreased proportion of splenic CD4+ T cells, whereas the proportion of splenic CD8+ T cells was increased. Regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) were significantly decreased and CD8+ T cells that expressed the chemokine receptor CCR4 (CD8+CCR4+) were significantly increased in arthropathic Tax transgenic mice. The expression of tax mRNA was strong in the spleen and joints of arthropathic mice, with a 40-fold increase compared with healthy transgenic mice. Conclusions Our findings reveal that Tax transgenic mice develop rheumatoid-like arthritis with proliferating synovial cells in the joints; however, the proportion of different splenic T-cell subsets in these mice was completely different from other commonly used animal models of rheumatoid arthritis. The crucial T-cell subsets in arthropathic Tax transgenic mice appear to resemble those in HAM/TSP patients rather than those in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
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Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) proviral load and disease progression in asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers: a nationwide prospective study in Japan. Blood 2010; 116:1211-9. [PMID: 20448111 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2009-12-257410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Definitive risk factors for the development of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) among asymptomatic human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) carriers remain unclear. Recently, HTLV-1 proviral loads have been evaluated as important predictors of ATL, but a few small prospective studies have been conducted. We prospectively evaluated 1218 asymptomatic HTLV-1 carriers (426 males and 792 females) who were enrolled during 2002 to 2008. The proviral load at enrollment was significantly higher in males than females (median, 2.10 vs 1.39 copies/100 peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs]; P < .001), in those 40 to 49 and 50 to 59 years of age than that of those 40 years of age and younger (P = .02 and .007, respectively), and in those with a family history of ATL than those without the history (median, 2.32 vs 1.33 copies/100 PBMCs; P = .005). During follow-up, 14 participants progressed to overt ATL. Their baseline proviral load was high (range, 4.17-28.58 copies/100 PBMCs). None developed ATL among those with a baseline proviral load lower than approximately 4 copies. Multivariate Cox analyses indicated that not only a higher proviral load, advanced age, family history of ATL, and first opportunity for HTLV-1 testing during treatment for other diseases were independent risk factors for progression of ATL.
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Maragno L, Casseb J, Fukumori LMI, Sotto MN, Duarte AJDS, Festa-Neto C, Sanches JA. Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infective dermatitis emerging in adulthood. Int J Dermatol 2009; 48:723-30. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04008.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Saito M, Matsuzaki T, Satou Y, Yasunaga JI, Saito K, Arimura K, Matsuoka M, Ohara Y. In vivo expression of the HBZ gene of HTLV-1 correlates with proviral load, inflammatory markers and disease severity in HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Retrovirology 2009; 6:19. [PMID: 19228429 PMCID: PMC2653460 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-6-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2008] [Accepted: 02/19/2009] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recently, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) basic leucine zipper factor (HBZ), encoded from a minus strand mRNA was discovered and was suggested to play an important role in adult T cell leukemia (ATL) development. However, there have been no reports on the role of HBZ in patients with HTLV-1 associated inflammatory diseases. Results We quantified the HBZ and tax mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood from 56 HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients, 10 ATL patients, 38 healthy asymptomatic carriers (HCs) and 20 normal uninfected controls, as well as human leukemic T-cell lines and HTLV-1-infected T-cell lines, and the data were correlated with clinical parameters. The spliced HBZ gene was transcribed in all HTLV-1-infected individuals examined, whereas tax mRNA was not transcribed in significant numbers of subjects in the same groups. Although the amount of HBZ mRNA expression was highest in ATL, medium in HAM/TSP, and lowest in HCs, with statistical significance, neither tax nor the HBZ mRNA expression per HTLV-1-infected cell differed significantly between each clinical group. The HTLV-1 HBZ, but not tax mRNA load, positively correlated with disease severity and with neopterin concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of HAM/TSP patients. Furthermore, HBZ mRNA expression per HTLV-1-infected cell was decreased after successful immunomodulatory treatment for HAM/TSP. Conclusion These findings suggest that in vivo expression of HBZ plays a role in HAM/TSP pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mineki Saito
- Department of Microbiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
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Castro NM, Rodrigues W, Freitas DM, Muniz A, Oliveira P, Carvalho EM. Urinary Symptoms Associated with Human T-Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I Infection: Evidence of Urinary Manifestations in Large Group of HTLV-I Carriers. Urology 2007; 69:813-8. [PMID: 17482910 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2007.01.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2005] [Revised: 11/05/2006] [Accepted: 01/21/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the frequency of urologic manifestations in human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) seropositive individuals from Salvador and other cities in Bahia, Brazil, with or without clinical HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). METHODS A total of 218 HTLV-I seropositive subjects referred from blood banks or neurologic clinics were admitted to the HTLV-I multidisciplinary outpatient clinic from January 2001 to April 2004. They were assessed using a standardized questionnaire to determine urinary complaints and quality of life. Neurologic impairment was established using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). HAM/TSP was considered as an EDSS score of 2 or greater. RESULTS Nocturia (35.8%) was the most frequent finding, followed by incontinence (29.8%), urgency (25.2%), frequency (22.0%), and dysuria (15.6%). Differences were found between individuals with an EDSS score of 0 and those with an EDSS score greater than 0 but less than 2 regarding frequency, nocturia, urgency, urinary loss of any degree, and quality of life. Dysuria and great or total urinary loss were more frequent among those with severe HAM/TSP (EDSS score greater than 6). CONCLUSIONS Even HTLV-I subjects considered not to have HAM/TSP may have prominent urinary findings already present. Urologic manifestations, including nocturia and urinary loss, might be early manifestations of neurologic disease in those with HTLV-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Néviton M Castro
- Serviço de Imunologia do Hospital Unversitário Prof. Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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Zervou EK, Georgiadou S, Tzilianos M, Georgitsi P, Pournara V, Nousis S, Pappas C, Daskalou L, Vrettou A, Karabini F, Dalekos GN. Human T-lymphotropic virus type I/II infections in volunteer blood donors from Northern and Western Greece: increased prevalence in one blood bank unit. Eur J Intern Med 2004; 15:422-427. [PMID: 15581745 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2004.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2003] [Revised: 05/24/2004] [Accepted: 06/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Blood donors are routinely screened for antibodies to human T-cell lymphotropic viruses type I and II (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) in the United States, Canada, Japan, and some European countries. Previous reports from our group in relatively small numbers of donors have shown a zero prevalence of HTLV-I/II markers in our region. In this study, seven blood banks in the north and west of Greece participated in order to determine whether mandatory screening of blood donations for HTLV-I/II infection should be established. METHODS: Sera from 51,714 consecutive donors were investigated for anti-HTLV-I/II using two commercially available enzyme immunoassays (EIAs). Reactive samples in one or both EIAs were repeatedly evaluated further by Western blot, which is specific for both confirmation and differentiation of HTLV-I and HTLV-II seroreactivities. Investigation for HTLV DNA was also done in all EIA-reactive donors, irrespective of the WB result, using a combination assay based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and a DNA EIA. RESULTS: A total of 115 donors (0.222%; 95% CI 0.018-0.26%) were initially considered reactive for anti-HTLV-I/II by EIAs. However, only 7 of the 115 were confirmed as positive by WB (five HTLV-I and two HTLV-I/II). Thus, the prevalence of anti-HTLV-I/II in donors from northern and western Greece was 0.013% (95% CI 0.003-0.023%). Interestingly, the majority of WB-confirmed anti-HTLV-positive individuals were detected in the blood bank of Corfu (5/7, all anti-HTLV-I). This prevalence (5/15383; 0.032%; 95% CI 0.004-0.061%) was six times the prevalence found at the other blood banks combined (2/36331; 0.0055%; 95% CI 0-0.013%), but it was not statistically significant. None of the EIA-reactive donors had detectable HTLV DNA. CONCLUSIONS: The very low prevalence of confirmed anti-HTLV-I/II infection markers in northern and western Greek blood donors, together with the negative PCR results in EIA-reactive subjects, indicates that anti-HTLV-I/I routine screening is not really justified in this area of our country. However, the increased prevalence of WB-confirmed anti-HTLV-I-positive donors in the Corfu blood bank calls for further prospective and careful investigation in order to address whether this finding represents a real cluster phenomenon of HTLV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- E K Zervou
- Blood Bank at the University Hospital of Ioannina, Greece
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Furukawa Y, Usuku K, Izumo S, Osame M. Human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) p12I is dispensable for HTLV-I transmission and maintenance of infection in vivo. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2004; 20:1092-9. [PMID: 15585100 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2004.20.1092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of the p12(I) protein of human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) has been under debate. p12K (lysine) and p12R (arginine) variants of this protein at amino acid 88 and a shorter life of p12K had been reported by another group. Because HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) patients usually have a higher provirus load than asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers (ACs), and p12(I) had been suggested to confer a proliferative effect on HTLV-I-infected cells in vitro, it is possible that the relatively unstable p12K is less frequent in HAM/TSP patients than in ACs. To elucidate whether p12K and other alterations in the p12 gene were related to the outcome of HTLV-I infection, we sequenced the p12 gene in 144 HAM/TSP patients, 41 adult T cell leukemia (ATL) patients, and in 46 ACs. p12K was observed in only two HAM/TSP patients, but was not present in either ATL patients or ACs. Interestingly, a premature termination codon in the p12 was observed in 5.6% of HAM/TSP patients and in 4.9% of ATL patients but none was found in ACs. The p12 initiation codon was destroyed in one HAM/TSP patient. These HTLV-I variants with truncated p12 protein or with a destroyed initiation codon in the p12 gene appeared to have been transmitted in the subjects' families. These findings suggest that p12 is dispensable for the transmission and maintenance of HTLV-I infection, although it is premature to conclude that sequence varitation in the p12 gene is associated with differences in the outcome of HTLV-I infection.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Female
- Gene Products, tax/genetics
- Genes, pX/genetics
- Genetic Variation
- HTLV-I Infections/genetics
- HTLV-I Infections/physiopathology
- HTLV-I Infections/transmission
- HTLV-I Infections/virology
- Human T-lymphotropic virus 1/pathogenicity
- Humans
- Male
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/chemistry
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/metabolism
- Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic/genetics
- Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic/physiopathology
- Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic/transmission
- Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic/virology
- Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
- Proviruses
- Sequence Analysis, DNA
- Transcription Factors/chemistry
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Viral Load
- Viral Regulatory and Accessory Proteins
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshitaka Furukawa
- Division of Blood Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy, Kagoshima University Hospital, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan.
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