Serological evidence of HTLV-I and HTLV-II coinfections in HIV-1 positive patients in Belém, state of Pará, Brazil.

Abstract

The occurrence of HTLV-I/II and HIV-1 coinfections have been shown to be frequent, probably in consequence of their similar modes of transmission. This paper presents the prevalence of coinfection of HTLV among HIV-1 infected and AIDS patients in Belém, State of Pará, Brazil. A group of 149 patients attending the AIDS Reference Unit of the State Department of Health was tested for the presence of antibodies to HTLV-I/II using an enzyme immunoassay and the positive reactions were confirmed with a Western blot that discriminates between HTLV-I and HTLV-II infections. Four patients (2.7%) were positive to HTLV-I, seven (4.7%) to HTLV-II and one (0.7%) showed an indeterminate pattern of reaction. The present results show for the first time in Belém not only the occurrence of HTLV-II/HIV-1 coinfections but also a higher prevalence of HTLV-II in relation to HTLV-I. Furthermore, it also enlarges the geographical limits of the endemic area for HTLV-II in the Amazon region of Brazil.

• Authors: A C Vallinoto, V N Azevedo, D E Santos, S Caniceiro, F C Mesquita, W W Hall, M O Ishak, R Ishak
• Journal: Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz) 1998 May-Jun Vol. 93 Issue 3 Pg. 407-9 ISSN: 0074-0276 [Print] Brazil
• PMID: 9698879 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Brazil (epidemiology)
• Female
• HIV Seropositivity (complications, epidemiology)
• HTLV-I Infections (complications, diagnosis, epidemiology)
• HTLV-II Infections (complications, diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prevalence
• Risk Factors