Pautas para el diagnóstico, notificación, y asesoramiento de la infección por Virus Linfotrópico T Humano tipo 1 y 2 en Argentina

BIGLIONE M; BERINI C; EIRIN ME; BLEJER J; GIOSEFFI O

Revista Argentina de Hematología y Hemnoterapia

Revista Argentina de Hemoterapia

Año: 2009 p. 317 - 327

0326-1506

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1), the first human oncoretrovirus  discovered, is the ethiologic agent of Adult T-cell Leukimia (ATL) and HTLV-1 Associated Mielopathy o Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV-2, has not a defined ethiopathology, although it has been associated to neurologic syndroms similar to HAM/TSP. Screening for HTLV-1/2 antibodies in blood donors is mandatory since 2005 (Resolution 865/2006 of the Ministry of Health, Argentina) although it has been recomended by the Hemotherapy and Immunehemathology Association since 1997. One of the problems in our country is the notification of the results and the difficulties encountered by the medical doctor in order to provide the appropriate information. In this study, we provide an outlook of these retroviruses, and especially we give information about diagnosis, pathogenesis and guidelines for health professionals when HTLV-1/2 positive serology needs to be notified. We based these recommendations on the guidelines elaborated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the working group of the US Public Health Service (USPHS Working Group) directed to infected people and to health workers and official institutions of public health.