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Changes in hematologic parameters among Japanese HTLV-I carriers
S L Welles1, N Tachibana, E J Orav
1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115.
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) infection impacts hematologic parameters. Individuals with HTLV-I and abnormal lymphocytes showed the most significant changes, including elevated lymphocyte and red cell counts.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Virology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-I (HTLV-I) is a retrovirus associated with various diseases.
- Hematologic alterations can indicate disease progression or immune response.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for monitoring HTLV-I infection and associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze hematologic differences in individuals based on HTLV-I infection status and presence of abnormal lymphocytes.
- To identify specific leukocyte and red cell count variations associated with HTLV-I carriers.
- To investigate potential hematologic markers for predicting risk of adult T-cell leukemia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of hematologic data from 1,039 participants in the Miyazaki Cohort study.
- Classification of individuals by HTLV-I antibody status and presence of abnormal lymphocytes (Ably).
- Comparison of leukocyte populations (lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils), red cell count, and serum albumin levels across groups.
Main Results:
- HTLV-I carriers with abnormal lymphocytes exhibited higher lymphocyte percentages (p=0.04) and elevated red cell counts (p=0.03) compared to seronegatives.
- A trend of decreasing eosinophil percentage was observed in both HTLV-I carrier groups, with the lowest in carriers with abnormal lymphocytes (p=0.05).
- Mean basophil percentage decreased in both carrier groups (p=0.09), and serum albumin was lower in carriers with abnormal lymphocytes (p=0.10).
Conclusions:
- HTLV-I infection is associated with distinct hematologic alterations.
- The most significant changes were observed in HTLV-I carriers with abnormal lymphocytes, suggesting a potential marker for disease risk.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring hematologic parameters in HTLV-I-infected individuals, particularly those with abnormal lymphocytes, for early detection of potential complications like adult T-cell leukemia.