HTLV-I/II Seroprevalence and Coinfection with Other Pathogens in Blood Donors in Buenos Aires.

N. DEL PINO, L.MARTINEZ PERALTA, S.PAMPURO, E.PIMENTEL , O.LIBONATTI.

JOURNAL OF ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROMES (1999)

Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Lugar: Filadelfia, Estados Unidos de Norteamérica.; Año: 1994 vol. 7 p. 206 - 207

1525-4135

<!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0cm; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:595.3pt 841.9pt; margin:70.85pt 3.0cm 70.85pt 3.0cm; mso-header-margin:35.4pt; mso-footer-margin:35.4pt; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> The aim of lhis study was to establish the seroprevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLVs) in the general population of Buenos Aires. Argentina, and the possible coinfection of more than one pathogen. From February 1991 to August 1992, 12.891 volunteer blood donors were screened for syphilis, Chagas’disease, brucellosis, hepatitis B virus surface antigen; hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLVs). Of the total individuals studied. 2,997 (23.2%) were women and 9,894 (76.8%) were men ranging in age from 18 to 65 years, according to the regulations of the Argenline hemotherapy law. Reactive samples for HlV-1 were confirmed by Western blot; 18 (0.14%) tested HIV·l positive, whereas one indeterminate case was observed. All the 17 HTLVs EIA·positive samples were also screened by HTL V-I/II particle agglutinalion test and confirmed with an "in house” indirect immunofluorescence assay and a WB assay. Both confirming tests were able to detect six HTLV-I positive and three HTLV-II positive samples, whereas two remained as indeterminate results. Final HTLV-I/11 seroprevalence reached 0.07%.Seroprevalence for other pathogens screened proved to be similar according to yearly statistics for the blood bank where this study was performed. Results confirmed that HTLVs are present in the Argentine blood-donor population.The HTLV-I/II seroprevalence found (0.07%) in blood donors of Buenos Aires was comparable lo that observed in some urban centers of the United States. Furthermore, no HIV-HTLV’s coinfection was observed, confirming previous findings in Argentina, although coinfection of HTLV-I with Chagas´ disease and HCV was found. Hence, il should not be argued that HIV -1 screening is enough to detect the presence of other retroviruses. The outstanding HTLVs seroprevalence found suggeststhat HTLV -I/II screening must be performed in all blood banks in Argentina.