Stable Human T-Lymphotropic Virus type 1 (HTLV-1) subtype a/subgroup A endemicity in Amerindians from Northwest Argentina: a health problem to be resolved

EIRIN ME; BERINIC C; JONES LR; DILERNIA D; PUCA A; BIGLIONE MM

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY

WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC

Año: 2010 vol. 82 p. 2116 - 2122

0146-6615

Jujuy province, in Northwest Argentina, is known to be endemic for HTLV-1 infection. Moreover, foci of HTLV-1 associated pathologies have also been described in this region. To gain an insight into the current situation of HTLV-1/2 in this endemic area, a seroprevalence and phylogenetic study was performed among a Kolla community from Abra Pampa city and surroundings. Out of 112 individuals, 11 (9.8 %) were confirmed as HTLV-1 positive and no HTLV-2 infection was detected. The phylogenetic analysis of the LTR region showed that all the HTLV-1 sequences belonged to the Cosmopolitan subtype a/Transcontinental subgroup A, and were closely related to reference sequences from Peru, Argentina and the South of Brazil (p=0.82). Considering the cultural and historical features of this community and in spite of the mandatory detection of anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies in blood banks since 2005, it would be important to implement new public health measures focused on decreasing HTLV-1 transmission in this endemic area.