First description of HTLV-1/2 seroprevalence in HIV-infected inmates in Mozambique

No study has yet been conducted to estimate the burden of co-infection of HIV and HTLV-1/2 in inmates in sub-Saharan Africa. To investigate prevalence of co-infection in inmates in Mozambique, a total of 2140 inmates were screened for HIV, of which 515 were HIV seropositive. All HIV seropositive inmates were further screened for HTLV infection, and eight (1.55%) were co-infected. Co-infection was higher in females (3.45% [2/58; CI: 0.42-11.91]) as compared to males (1.35% [6/445; CI: 0.55-3.06]). Early screening of HTLV in prisons is urgently needed in Mozambique in order to improve the care provided to incarcerated individuals, including initiation of ART.