Relative frequency of Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus I/II in HIV/AIDS patients

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus HTLV-I/II is a retrovirus that has been associated with different diseases. HTLV-I/II routes of transmissions are exposure to contaminated blood, blood transfusion, needle sharing, breast feeding, and sexual contact. The seroprevalence of HTLV-I/II in HIV infected patients has not been well characterized in Iran. We conducted a serological survey to determine the relative frequency of HTLV-I/II in HIV+/AIDS and healthy blood donors in Isfahan.

In this cross-sectional study, we compare the relative frequency of HTLV-I/II in HIV+/AIDS group (56 persons) with asymptomatic blood donors (57 persons) in Isfahan. Participant completed the questionnaires that include demographic information, age, sex, and sexual partnership during last 6 months, sexual behavior and past history of blood transfusion or other blood products. We confirm the HIV+ status in patients group with western blot test. Evaluation of HTLV-I/II were done using ELISA test with DRAPIO third generation kit. Questionnaire data and laboratory results were analyzed by SPSS18.

During the period of 2010-2011, a total of 56 HIV-infected patients and 57 healthy persons participated in this study. Among HIV positive patients, one person had positive test for HTILV-I/II representing the relative frequency of 1.8%, and in healthy individuals none of them were positive.

In our survey, relative frequency of HTLV-I/II was 1.8% in HIV+ patients. This study reveals that relative frequency of HTLV-I/II in HIV positive patients is considerable but determining the need for screening of HTLV-I/II requires further investigation.