Sanchez-Palacios C, Gotuzzo E, Vandamme AM, Maldonado Y. Seroprevalence and risk factors for human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I) infection among ethnically and geographically diverse Peruvian women.
Int J Infect Dis 2003;
7:132-7. [PMID:
12839715 DOI:
10.1016/s1201-9712(03)90009-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the seroprevalence and risk factors for HTLV-I infection in Peruvian women.
METHODS
Five hundred and sixty-eight healthy women >20 years of age from three Peruvian regions were randomly selected and screened for HTLV-I. ELISA-reactive sera were confirmed via immunofluorescence assay, recombinant immunoblot assay, Western blot, and PCR. Women from Huanta (n=303), an Andean city inhabited by indigenous Quechuans, El Carmen (n=132), a primarily African-American coastal town, and Lima (n=133), with its Mestizo population, were selected.
RESULTS
HTLV-I antibodies were present in 2.5% (14/568) of women (1.3% in Huanta, 3.8% in El Carmen, and 3.8% in Lima); 2.5%, 2.7% and 2.6% of Quechuans, Mestizas and African-Americans, respectively, were infected. History of a blood transfusion (P <0.00002), chronic scabies (P <0.02), having a relative with leukemia (P <0.04), age +/- 38 years (P <0.03), young age at first intercourse (P <0.04), lifetime partners >4 (P <0.04), educational status (P <0.02) and >4 pregnancies (P <0.03) were significantly associated with infection.
CONCLUSIONS
HTLV-I is endemic among asymptomatic Peruvian women. Parenteral, vertical and heterosexual transmission are associated with infection.
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