The epidemiology of diseases associated with HTLV-I and HTLV-II

Considerable progress is being made in the understanding of at least two diseases associated with HTLV-I, ATLL and TSP. While laboratory methodology has not yet permitted comparable advances in identifying diseases associated with HTLV-II, if any, it is likely that a greater understanding of this and other retroviruses will result from the increasing focus of attention in this area. As illustrated by a recent meeting on retroviruses in the nervous system, which included discussions on polymyositis and multiple sclerosis as well as TSP, ATLL, and AIDS, the number of diseases associated with retroviruses is likely to increase and, if the applications of research data to the control of malignancies associated with hepatitis B virus and Epstein-Barr virus are applicable, the future for improving control of HTLV-I-associated disease should be quite promising.