The HTLV type I sequence from an asymptomatic German blood donor is related to sequences from South America

In most parts of Europe only a limited number of sporadic cases of HTLV-I infections have been identified. So far, the few cases found in Germany were individuals from endemic areas or with relations to endemic areas. Here we report an HTLV-I infection from an asymptomatic female German blood donor whose only known potential risk was a former partner from South America, where HTLV-I is known to be endemic. The DNA sequence of the LTR region was determined and a phylogenetic analysis indeed suggested homologies with HTLV-I sequences from South America.