Hematological changes in human lymphotropic-T virus type 1 carriers.

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy.
• Understanding the hematological manifestations of HTLV-1 infection is crucial for early diagnosis and management of associated diseases.
• Previous studies have not fully elucidated the hematological profile specific to HTLV-1 infection in the Belém do Pará region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the hematological profile of individuals infected with HTLV-1 in Belém do Pará.
• To estimate the frequency of atypical lymphocytes in HTLV-1 carriers.
• To associate observed hematological parameters with HTLV-1 infection and its clinical manifestations.

Main Methods:

• Hematologic data from 202 individuals were analyzed, comprising 87 HTLV-1 infected patients and 115 non-infected controls.
• Statistical analysis was performed to compare hematological parameters between infected and control groups.
• Seroprevalence and demographic data, including age and sex, were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• HTLV-1 infection showed a higher seroprevalence in females (71.3%) and individuals over 50 years old (44.8%).
• Significant differences in segmented cell (p=0.0303) and eosinophil (p=0.0092) counts were observed in HTLV-1 carriers.
• Atypical lymphocytes were exclusively found in HTLV-1 infected individuals (p=0.0001), with no significant overall leukocyte count changes.

Conclusions:

• HTLV-1 infection is predominantly observed in women over 50 years old in the studied population.
• The hematological profile of HTLV-1 carriers is characterized by reduced segmented cells, increased eosinophils, and the presence of atypical lymphocytes.
• Regular evaluation of the hematological profile in HTLV-1 carriers is essential for the early detection of associated diseases.