Seroprevalence and risk factors for human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV-I) infection among ethnically and geographically diverse Peruvian women
Sanchez-Palacios, C.; Gotuzzo, E.; Vandamme, A-M.; Maldonado, Y.
International Journal of Infectious Diseases Ijid Official Publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases 7(2): 132-137
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1201-9712 PMID: 12839715 DOI: 10.1016/s1201-9712(03)90009-9Document Number: 252272
Objective: To assess the seroprevalence and risk factors for HTLV-I infection in Peruvian women. Methods: 568 healthy women >20 years of age from 3 regions in Peru 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 leukaemia (P<0.04), age+or-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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